The Jewish calendar is a lunar-based calendar and therefore Jewish holidays occur each year on different dates in the Western calendar. This year (2026), the Jewish High Holidays begin on the evening of September 11 with the inauguration of Rosh Hashanah. They are called the “high holidays” because of their focus on reconciliation with others and with G-d as well as promoting a higher spiritual awareness. In Hebrew they are called the yamim nora’im, the days of reverence.
Rosh Hashanah (Roshe ha-sha-NAH), the Jewish new year, begins a ten-day period of repentance and spiritual reflection. It is a biblically ordained holiday (Leviticus 23:23-25), and is observed for two days, the first and second days of the month of Tishri. In Jewish tradition, it marks the anniversary of the birthday of the world, and is the day when humans are judged according to their actions during the past year. Like other ordained holidays it is inaugurated with a table ceremony and observed with a worship service in the synagogue. On Rosh Hashanah, the highlight of the worship service is the sounding of the shofar/ram’s horn.
Yom Kippur (yome kee-PUR), the Day of Atonement, is observed on the 10th day of Tishri, and ends the Ten Days of Repentance. It is a biblically ordained holiday (Leviticus 23: 26-32) in which forgiveness of sins is asked. Thus, it is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur begins the previous evening at sundown and ends at sundown the next day. It is day spent in prayer, meditation, and fasting in order to begin the new year with a clear conscience.
Sukkot (Su-KOTE), the Festival of Tabernacles, is an eight-day holiday observed five days after Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). It is a biblically ordained holiday (Leviticus 23: 34-36) and is observed by eating and spending time in a special structure called a sukkah, a booth that is reminiscent of the dwellings which the Israelites lived in during their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. It is also celebrates harvest time in the Land of Israel is the biblical antecedent of the American holiday of Thanksgiving.