Holidays

As we come to the end of our yearly Torah cycle and prepare to begin again, please join us as we unroll the Torah and celebrate!

Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian army. The battle in the second century BCE was fought for religious freedom.

Tu BiSh'vat, one of the "new year" celebrations spread throughout the Jewish calendar year, has evolved for many into a Jewish environmental celebration.

1. Attend the Purim Megillah reading at CRC (recommended for adults) 2. Attend the Purim Carnival with the whole family

Passover (Pesach) commemorates the Exodus of the people of Israel from slavery in ancient Egypt.

The Omer is seven weeks days counted from the second night of Passover. Lag BaOmer is the thirty-third day of the Omer. The 49 days of the Omer correspond both to the time between physical emancipation from Egypt and the spiritual liberation of the giving of the Torah at the foot of Mount Sinai on Shavuot, as well as the time between the barley harvest and the wheat harvest in ancient Israel. Every year, weather permitting, we hold a bonefire at CRC on Lag BaOmer.

Shavuot follows the Counting of the Omer and celebrates the anniversary on which God first gave us the Torah at Mount Sinai. When we stood at Mount Sinai, we became a people. CRC joins other reform, conservative, and modern orthodox synagogues on Shavuot to study the Torah and enjoy ice cream and cheesecake.

Tisha B'Av is the ninth day of the month of Av and the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. Traditionally, Tisha B'Av remembers the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, our metaphor for ultimate sadness and loss. This day of mourning is also a fast day.