JCRC Jewish Holiday Guide
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Jewish Silicon Valley (JCRC) together with local rabbis, are writing to draw attention to important dates in Jewish religious life, in particular to the upcoming High Holy Days, and to share with you a link to a 3-Year Jewish Holiday Guide, to help schools, or employers be sensitive to important dates in Jewish religious life. As with Chinese, Hindu and Islamic calendars, the Jewish calendar is lunar based, and thus the dates of holy days vary from year to year on the Gregorian calendar.
We ask for your continued support in enabling your Jewish peers to fully participate in the High Holiday observances:
Rosh Hashanah 2023: Friday night, September 15 – Sunday, September 17
Yom Kippur 2023: Sunday night, September 24 – Monday, September 25
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is celebrated by attending worship services, having festive holiday meals, and eating traditional foods such as apples and honey, which symbolize hopes for a sweet year. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. This most solemn day is observed by attending lengthy worship services, public fasting by those 13 years old and older, and seeking forgiveness from family and friends for any wrongdoing over the past year. Jewish students typically do not attend school or participate in school programs or events either on Rosh Hashanah or on Yom Kippur.
We sincerely thank you for your ongoing commitment to the religious and cultural diversity of this community. We all are available to address any questions or concerns. The JCRC is available as a resource not only on Jewish holidays, but also as an academic resource on Jewish Identity, Holocaust education, Ethnic Studies, and Middle East studies.
Sincerely,
Jessica Blitchok, Director JCRC, Jewish Silicon Valley
Rabbi Dana Magat, Temple Emanu-El
Rabbi Josh Berkenwald, Congregation Sinai
Rabbi Nathan Roller, Rabbi Educator, Congregation Beth David
Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz,Congregation Emeth
Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia, Senior Director of Collaborative Leadership and Jewish Engagement, Jewish Silicon Valley
Senior Rabbi David Kunin,Congregation Beth David
Rabbi Nico Socolovsky, Congregation Shir Hadash
Rabbi Michael Walden, Congregation Shir Hadash
