FAST OF TAMMUZ 17
20th July 2008
17th Tammuz 5768
A day of fasting commemorating the breach made in the defense wall surrounding Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. This led to the capture of the city and the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, three weeks later and the exile of the Jews to Babylonia.
 ROSH HASHANAH
30th September & 1st October 2008
1st & 2nd Tishri 5768
The Jewish New Year, observed for two days in Israel as well as the Diaspora, marks the commencement of the Ten Days of Penitence which reach their climax on Yom Kippur. An important observance of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn).
Rosh Hashanah is also known as 'Yom Hadin,' the day of judgment, since, according to tradition, on Rosh Hashanah, mankind is judged by God for its actions during the past year.
 FAST OF GEDALIAH
2nd October 2008
3rd Tishri 5768
Observed in memory of Gedaliah ben Ahikam, the Jewish governor of Judea appointed by Nebuchadnezzar (Sixth Century B.C.E.) to govern the conquered Judean territory. Gedaliah achieved much for those of his people who had remained in the country. When he was assassinated (on Tishri 2, but observed on Tishri 3 due to Rosh Hashanah observance), Nebuchadnezzar exiled more of the surviving population to Babylonia. These calamitous events shattered the last Jewish hopes for a peaceful restoration.
 YOM KIPPUR
9th October 2008
10th Tishri 5768
The Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Marked by fasting and prayer, it is the day to ask forgiveness from man and from God and to offer restitution for any wrongdoing. According to tradition, one's fate for the coming year is sealed on this day.
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 SUKKOT
14th -19th
october 2008
15th Tishri 5768
The Festival of Tabernacles or Booths (Hebrew 'sukkot'). One of the three pilgrim festivals (the others being Passover and Shavuot) when, in ancient times, Jews made pilgrimages to the Temple in Jerusalem. It derives its name from the 'sukkah' or booth, a temporary structure in which time is spent during the holiday to commemorate God's protection of the Children of Israel during their 40 years in the wilderness.
The first two days (in Israel the first day) are full holidays. The following five intermediate days,'Hol Hamoed,' (six in Israel) are partial holidays.
Sukkot is also a harvest festival since it is the time of the ingathering of crops in Israel. During the entire Sukkot festival, the Four Species (citron, myrtle, palm, and willow) are waved during portions of the service.
HOSHANAH RABBAH
20th October 2008
21st Tishri 5768
The seventh day of Sukkot, a half holiday, is marked by the recitation of many 'hosha-na' ("help us, we pray") prayers recited by worshippers carrying bundles of twigs from willow trees (which usually grow along river banks) as they make seven circuits of the synagogue. This practice is related to the tradition that on Hoshana Rabbah, final Heavenly judgment on the amount of rainfall to insure bountiful harvests is rendered.
SHEMINI ATZERET
21st October 2008
22nd
Tishri 5768
The "Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly", the festival observed the day after Sukkot. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret also marks the completion of the annual cycle of Torah reading (see Simchat Torah) in the Diaspora.
 SIMCHAT TORAH
22nd October 2008
23rd Tishri 5768
The holiday of 'Rejoicing in the Torah' on which the year-long cycle of Torah (the Pentateuch) reading is completed and re-started.
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