by Alan M. and Joshua S.

Holidays are a very important part of Jewish life. There are many holidays in the Jewish calendar including Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Purim and Passover.

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish new year. It is celebrated by blowing shofars, or ram's horns, and by eating sweet foods.

On Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, we fast and pray for a safe and pleasant new year.

Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights. We light a menorah to commemorate the small jug of oil that burned for eight days.

Purim is the holiday in early spring when we dress up in costumes. On Purim, we are told the story of a woman who became queen over a large area of land and saved the lives of thousands of Jews. We also give small gifts to friends and eat a festive meal.

On Passover we tell the story of the Jews and their exile from the land of Egypt.

Rosh Chodesh is the beginning of every month. It is celebrated in honor of the new moon.

Shabbat is the most frequent and one of the most important of all the Jewish holidays. We celebrate it on every Saturday to signify the idea that G-d rested on the seventh day of creation.

In this gallery you will see artifacts that were used by our ancestors on Shabbat and holidays.