Holidays

Many Jewish holidays are somber and serious, others are just plain fun. Following are descriptions of how holidays are celebrated and observed at Beth David.

Days of Awe:

Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, are inspirational days for contemplation and Jewish community. At Beth David Reform Congregation we are proud to have many congregants, in addition to clergy, actively participate, by reading portions of the service, performing aliyot (Torah blessings), chanting Torah and reading its translations, and of course blowing the Shofar. Midday, for children we conduct two "kid friendly services - Pre K through grade 3 and grade 4 and up. Teen members of the congregation conduct the Afternoon Service. The honor of participating in the High Holy Day services is offered to congregants based on volunteerism throughout the year.

High Holy Days 2011

• Selichot - Saturday September 24
• Erev Rosh Hashanah - Wednesday September 28
• Rosh Hashanah - Thursday September 29
• Kol Nidre - Friday October 7
• Yom Kippur - Saturday October 8

Click for complete High Holidays service schedule.

For Sukkot, Beth David Men traditionally do the "manual labor" rto adorn the sukkkah with corn stalks, hay bales, etc., while our school students decorate it with fruits made in art class of paper and papier mache. We celebrate with an informal outdoor dinner served in our sikkah, "pizza in the hut", followed by the traditional service. During the festival, text study sessions occur inside the sukkah.

Simchat Torah is a celebratory service that marks reaching the end of theTorah and then re-rolling it to start again at the beginning. At Beth David the celebration includes marching and dancing all around the Sanctuary to Klezmer music provided by professional musicians such as the Sally Mitlas Orchestra or Rak Don. This is also when we celebrate all the children beginning Religious School for the first time with a consecration dinner for families.

Hannukah is observed throughout Beth David and of course in our Religious School. The Shabbat that falls during Hannukah is a particularly special occasion that is marked by inviting our families to kindle the lights of Hannukah using their family hannukiah. Services may also include a "living menorah," special music, and other creative activities.

Tu B'Shvat, the New Year of the Trees. Beth David conducts a Tu B'Shvat seder followed by a Tu B'Shvat Oneg to observe the day in a fun and delicious style featuring tree-fruit ice-cream flavors. Pina colada or Cherry Garcia, anyone?

Children and staff come to religious school in costume on Purim. They perform in shows (or just watch) and participate in the carnival run by Beth David's Youth Group. New for this year is a progressive dinner at members' homes ending at Beth David for the annual Megillah reading, the telling of the story of Esther, complete with lots of noise whenever we hear the name "Haman".

Passover includes text study and a pot-luck dinner for the Shabbat during Pesach. There is no seder at the synagogue since members prefer to celebrate with family and friends at home. For members who may not have a seder to attend, the Beth David office will be happy to help you find one.

Shavuot includes the annual telling of the story of Ruth, and at Beth David Services are led by the year's Confirmation class. It is a proud moment to watch our young people move forward on their way to becoming responsible, engaged Jewish adults. The Confirmands' joy and friendship is infectious at the special oneg afterward, organized by their families.