Holidays and Festivals
The Temple Beth El community gathers together to celebrate and commemorate the holidays and festivals with services that connect the traditions of our heritage with our dreams, goals, and actions for the future.
Shabbat
is the holiday that arrives each week, calling on us to pause, rest, reflect, and renew ourselves.
Purim: Thursday, March 13, 2025
is a lively holiday that commemorates the story of Queen Esther and the vanquishing of the villainous Haman, who sought the destruction of the Jewish people.
Pesach: Saturday, April 12, 2025
or Pesach, is the Festival of Freedom, which commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt.
Yom HaShoah: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
or Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorates the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust.
Shavuot: Sunday, June 1, 2025
or the Festival of Weeks, celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. We remember the promised land that will be flowing with milk and honey. Confirmation service is celebrated.
Tisha B'Av: Saturday, August 2, 2025
is a fast day that commemorates the two occasions of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Rosh Hashanah: Monday, September 22, 2025
services at Temple Beth El are led by Rabbi Jeff Ableser, aided by readings and enriched with music.
Yom Kippur: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Sukkot: Monday, October 6, 2025
is the fall harvest festival during which we share a meal in the sukkah and shake the lulav with the etrog.
Simchat Torah: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
involves a cherished TBE tradition which is to unroll the entire Torah scroll around the sanctuary.
Chanukah: Sunday, December 14, 2025
is an eight night long celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabees in the 2nd century BCE.
Tu B'shvat: Sunday, February 1, 2026
is the New Year for Trees. This holiday is sometimes seen as a Jewish Arbor Day and an environmental holiday.