submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Sunday, September 9, Rosh Hashannah begins at sundown.
Monday, September 10 is the first day of Rosh Hashannah. Some American Jews celebrate for one day, others for two.
Tuesday, September 11 is the second day of Rosh Hashannah for some Jews.
Tuesday, September 18, Yom Kippur begins an hour before sundown. some families eat their meal at 4:00 p.m. in order to make it in time for the biggest prayer of the year in the synagogue.
Yom Kippur ends around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, at which point we eat a big meal and usually collapse for the night. Many Jews dress all in white for this holiday and many stay in synagogue all day.
Sukkot begins at sundown on Sunday, September 23, and the first two days are “Holy Days” where some Jews don’t work, use electricity, engage in commerce. We build a sukkah (booth) and eat most of our meals there for 8 days, even if it rains or snows.
Sukkot ends at sundown on either on Monday, October 1 or Tuesday, October 2 depending on personal observance. Again, a majority of American Jews do not celebrate this holiday or even know what it’s about.