In today's world, Labor Day typically means a day off from work or school, invitations to backyard BBQs, and retail sales events. But 129 years ago, when Congress declared it a national holiday, it was to recognize the contributions of laborers and the injustices they faced. How does this history relate to our Jewish community? The imperative for justice is a very Jewish notion. Social justice is an essential theme of our tradition, so it’s no wonder there is a tightly woven connection between Jewish Americans and the labor movement. Jewish labor unions - like the United Hebrew Trades - created significant improvements in the lives of Jewish and other workers. Interestingly, Yiddish was the language that was used to recruit thousands of Jewish immigrant workers to the unions. Perhaps the most well-known Jewish labor union leader was Samuel Gompers, who helped found the American Federation of Labor in the 1880s. The AFL-CIO (as it’s known today), credits Gompers with creating an influential and abiding workers' alliance dedicated to the mutual benefit of all workers. So while we naturally hope you enjoy the 3-day weekend, remember some of the victories that our Jewish predecessors helped win for us, and all Americans: the 8-hour workday, workplace safety laws, and the elimination of child labor. We hope you have a meaningful (Jewish?) Labor Day!

One of our community's most beautiful observances, this holiday formally begins the period of the High Holy Days. At Temple Judea we celebrate with an evening of inspirational study and worship. This program will be followed by a nosh and our inspirational service of Selichot. For more information about our High Holy Days and Festivals of Tishrei offerings, click the button below.

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While most of the secular world thinks of New Year’s Day as January 1, for Jews everywhere, the new year is celebrated each autumn - with all of its opportunities for reflection and self-improvement. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and it's our time to set intentions and celebrate fresh starts. Literally translated as “head of the year,” Rosh Hashanah is marked by many traditions: Toratot dressed in white, apples and honey on the table, challahs that are round instead of braided, the blowing of the shofar, and, of course, intentions set for renewal and repentance. But - why a round challah? It could be to represent the cyclical nature of the year. Or maybe it symbolizes the concept of t’shuvah (repentance) that’s at the heart of this holiday: the path to self-improvement is a never-ending possibility. And why apples? They too, are round - and paired with the sweetness of honey, they stand for the full, well-rounded, sweet year to come. The blowing of the shofar is also traditional. It's a call to prayer, a call to action - a wake up call. It is a reminder that Rosh Hashanah and the Holy Days that follow are a sacred chance to start anew. This is also the time of year in which we greet one another with “shanah tovah,” which is Hebrew for “a good year.” The staff, lay leaders and clergy at Temple Judea are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that each of us has a special opportunity to gather, celebrate, and observe these special Rosh Hashanah traditions together. For more information about our High Holy Days and Festivals of Tishrei offerings, click the button below. Here’s wishing you a shanah tovah!

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In the midst of the High Holy Days, also known as Yamim Noraim - the Days of Awe, we observe the 10 days of repentance and renewal between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, during which we reflect and set our intentions. During this time, we also observe the ceremony of Tashlich, the symbolic tradition of casting off one’s sins. This is traditionally done near flowing water in which fish reside. For more information about our High Holy Days and Festivals of Tishrei offerings, click the button below.

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G’mar chatimah tovah. The literal meaning of these Hebrew words translate to “a good final sealing.” Idiomatically we say, “may you be inscribed.” Over these past few weeks, beginning in the month of Elul, we began the process of t’shuvah - of repentance or renewal. With Rosh Hashanah came the new month of Tishrei and the new year. As individuals and as a community we’ve prayed, we’ve meditated, we’ve repented, we’ve apologized, we’ve cast off our sins and we’ve created new intentions. On Yom Kippur, at the close of Neilah, our inscription in the Book of Life is sealed. There are many opportunities to observe Yom Kippur with your Temple Judea community, beginning with our traditional Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur Day services. We also offer a Youth & Family Yom Kippur Experience and an afternoon study session with Rabbi Aaronson, followed by our closing Yizkor and Neilah services. For more information about our High Holy Days and Festivals of Tishrei offerings, click the button below. May those who are able to fast have a tzom kal - an easy and a meaningful fast. And g’mar chatimah tovah to all: may you be sealed in the Book of Life for another year.

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Sukkot, a Torah-commanded holiday originating with the ancient autumnal harvest, began on Sunday and lasts seven days. Sukkahs remind us of the basic huts that farmers lived in during the harvest. Don’t miss the glorious sukkah that we construct in our TJ courtyard! A work of love from our members, it is decorated with walls of woven ribbon and a roof that features an abundant harvest of fruits and veggies. You can feel the heritage and community when you visit. The perfect opportunity to do so is the Friday for our Sukkot Shabbat! Gathering in the sukkah is a mitzvah, and Temple Judea offers our members the chance to satisfy this commandment by welcoming Shabbat in our sukkah under the stars. For more information about our High Holy Days and Festivals of Tishrei offerings, click the button below.

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Right after Sukkot comes Sh'mini Atzeret, a day of reflection after the end of Sukkot when we affirm the Torah as one of the pillars upon which we build our lives. Historically, this was celebrated as a separate holiday from Simchat Torah, but today Temple Judea (along with many Reform congregations) celebrates the two holidays concurrently.

During Simchat Torah we celebrate the conclusion of one cycle of Torah and the beginning of the next. With the Torahs unfurled, we finish reading the very last verses, and begin again with the very first verses. We sing, dance, and carry the Torah during this celebration. This year, our Simchat Torah Shabbat will be proceeded by a Youth & Family dinner for our youngest students and their families. For more information about our High Holy Days and Festivals of Tishrei offerings, click the button below.

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Fun Hebrew fact - the Hebrew command to "give thanks" and the Hebrew word for turkey are one and the same: Hodu! (It's also the Hebrew word for India, but that's another story!) But it means that in Israel, someone who celebrates Yom Hodu celebrates "Thanksgiving" and "Turkey Day" as one and the same. As Thanksgiving is an opportunity to celebrate family customs around food and gratitude, we also have the opportunity to celebrate what it means to live as Jews in this country, with the history of freedom of religion and culture that has been rare in the long narrative arc of the Jewish people. Judaism offers many opportunities to express thankfulness. The first prayer of the day is Modeh/Modah Ani – a thank you for the gift of another day. We can also practice hakarat hatov, or “recognizing the good.” It requires a frame of mind that notices and appreciates all that we have: good health, family, friends, food, safety, security, and community. But how can we show our gratitude? In big and small ways: a kind word, a hug, making the extra effort for someone, or sharing from our own abundance by preparing a dish or making a donation.