September 8, 2010 -
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Holidays...Why and When

Fall Holiday Closings

LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Saturday, September 4, 8 am - 5 pm
Sunday, September 5, 7:30 am - 8 pm
(Member Services Closed)
Monday, September 6, 9 am - 5 pm
(Member Services Closed)

ROSH HASHANAH
Wednesday, September 8: CLOSED @ 2pm
Thursday, September 9: CLOSED
Friday, September 10: CLOSED

Yom Kippur
Friday, September 17: CLOSED @ 2pm
Saturday, September 18: CLOSED

SUKKOT
Wednesday, September 22: CLOSED @ 6pm
Thursday, September 23: CLOSED
Friday, September 24: CLOSED

SHEMINI ATZERET
Wednesday, September 29: CLOSED @ 6pm
Thursday, September 30: CLOSED

SIMCHAT TORAH
Friday, October 1: CLOSED

When the JCC is closed entirely for Jewish holidays,
members may use the Ardmore YMCA.
Must bring your membership card.

 

Shabbat:
The Jewish day of rest begins at sundown on Friday evening and ends at twilight on Saturday evening. It is a time to enjoy spiritual contemplation, the company of family members, nature and relaxation. It is an opportunity to feel renewed and ready for the coming week. Proper greeting:  "Shabbat Shalom".

Rosh Hashanah:
The Jewish New Year begins the 10-day period known as the High Holidays, the Days of Awe. We use this time to think about the past year and resolve to improve what needs improvement in the coming year. The blowing of the shofar (ram's horn) serves as a wake-up call to begin the process. Proper greeting:  "L'Shana Tova",

Yom Kippur:
The Day of Atonement occurs on the 10th (last) day of the High Holidays. It is a day of fasting, prayer, inner contemplation and a collective confession of sins. It is also a day of optimism, full of the promise of forgiveness and improvement of our behavior in the coming year. Proper greeting: "L'Shana Tova" or "Have a Safe and Easy Fast".

Sukkot:
Preparations for Sukkot begin right after Yom Kippur with the building of the sukkah, a temporary booth made of branches of wood. This harvest holiday emphasizes the values of hospitality, the rewards of work and our trust in G-d. It reminds us of the period of time the Jews wandered in the desert after leaving Egypt. Proper greeting:  "Chag Samaech".

Shemini Atzeret:
The eighth day of Sukkot, a day of solemn assembly, is a holiday on which prayers for rain are recited. A memorial service is also held.

Simchat Torah:
Simchat Torah is associated with Sukkot, but is an independent, joyous holiday. On Simchat Torah, the cycle of reading from the Torah ends and begins again. In each synagogue, the Torah scrolls are taken out and carried around in processions.

Chanukah:
Chanukah is the eight-day Festival of Lights. It recalls the fight of the Maccabees for religious freedom. We light the menorah for eight nights to commemorate the victory over the Grecco-Syrians and rededication of the Temple.

Purim:
Literally "lots," Purim is a holiday that comes in the middle of the Hebrew month of Adar. On Purim, we read the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther, often referred to as the Megillah), which tells the story of how the intervention of Queen Esther and Mordechai saved the Jewish communities of ancient Persia from certain annihilation. We celebrate this rescue with high-spirited revelry, including wearing costumes of the main characters in the Megillah, exchanging gifts of food, giving charity (Tzedakah) to those in need, and baking and eating Purim pastries called Hamantaschen. We attend Purim carnivals where the whole family can enjoy this holiday together.

Passover:
The Passover Seder recreates the story of the Jews' exodus from Egypt. Many customs and rituals are associated with Passover. The Haggadah is used to tell the story of the exodus, everyone drinks four cups of wine, and a festive meal follows the Seder. Leavened bread and food products made with flour are prohibited.  Proper greeting:  "A Zisen Pesach"