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Guide To The High Holidays For Interfaith Families: Introduction and Table of Contents

The High Holy Days — What Are They?

Jews refer to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, as the High Holy Days, or the Days of Awe. These holidays usually fall in September or October and are characterized by long synagogue services and a focus on repentance.

If you are going to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services this year, or preparing to celebrate these holidays with your family, we hope that a basic overview of the season and its symbols will help you to have a good experience of connection to the community, and even some taste of the ideal spiritual experiences that often elude worshippers on these days.

You can download the Guide to the High Holidays for Interfaith Families as a .pdf file. (Also available in Word format)

Contents

 

Hebrew for "Head of the Year," the Jewish New Year. With Yom Kippur, known as the High Holy Days. Hebrew for "Day of Atonement," the final of ten Days of Awe that begin with Rosh Hashanah. Occurs during the fall and is marked by a 24-hour fast. One of the most important Jewish holidays. Derived from the Greek word for "assembly," a Jewish house of prayer. Synagogue refers to both the room where prayer services are held and the building where it occurs. In Yiddish, "shul." Reform synagogues are often called "temple."
InterfaithFamily

InterfaithFamily is the premier resource supporting interfaith couples exploring Jewish life and inclusive Jewish communities. We offer educational content; connections to welcoming organizations, professionals and programs; resources and trainings for organizations, clergy and other program providers; and our new InterfaithFamily/Your Community initiative providing coordinated comprehensive offerings in local communities.

If you have suggestions, please contact network@interfaithfamily.com.

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