Beth David observes the Jewish holidays in traditional ways, with innovative touches designed to facilitate people’s involvement in and understanding of the day. We believe that Judaism is a joyous and profound source of meaning in our lives, and that our holidays and Shabbat are a wonderful path to God, community, and holiness. We are committed to explaining Judaism’s many practices so that everyone can participate comfortably.
These brief descriptions will give you an idea of how we observe the holidays at Beth David.
For more specific information about this years activities, see our calendar.
For more information about the holidays, please consult the USCJ web site.
The High Holy Days
These days are also called Yamim Nora·im, the Days of Awe, and Aseret Y’mei Ha-t’shuvah, the Ten Days of Repentance. They are the climax of a period of reflection, self-evaluation, and repentance that begins with the preceding month of Elul.
Elul
You wouldn’t run a marathon without training, nor would you attempt to do the deep work of repentance and renewal without preparation. Our tradition asks us to begin the last month of the year the process that culminates with the Days of Awe:
- Remembrance—reviewing the past year and reflecting on our deeds.
- Remorse—feeling genuine regret over our failings.
- Restitution—if necessary, making up for damage done, and apologizing to those we have offended.
- Repentance—This is achieved through prayer, resolve, and steps toward change.
- Rehabilitation—this is that great moment, which may happen long after Yom Kippur, when we are confronted by a similar temptation, and we do not yield to it.
During Elul we sound the shofar at morning services, as a reminder that the Days of Awe are coming, and we add the beautiful Psalm 27 to morning and evening services
Selihot
On the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah there is a midnight service, a kind of preview of the High Holy Day liturgy. At Beth David, we lead up to midnight with a learning session to help us prepare for the High Holy Days, followed by an ice cream social. The quiet of the midnight hour provides us with a unique worship experience.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is far more than the beginning of the Jewish calendar year. It is called Yom Ha-din, the Day of Judgment, and Yom T’ru·ah, the day of sounding the shofar (the ram’s horn). The liturgy depicts God as judging all humanity, but also affirms that God is loving and merciful. At Beth David, we have two services on Rosh Hashanah eve, at 6:00 and 8:00, to give options for family dinner times. On the first day (and on Yom Kippur) there are two parallel services: Kehillah Gedolah, which meets in the main sanctuary, and Kehillah Ketanah, which meets at Wornor Hall, at our neighbor Ascension Church. Our Rabbis take turns leading both services. A professional Cantor leads Kehillah Gedolah. Kehillah Ketanah is led by lay cantors, and provides a more intimate, informal setting for worship. In both services, we include explanations and introductions to help you get the most out of the complex liturgy.
Beth David provides baby-sitting, and High Holy Day experiences for preschoolers, school age children, and teens. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Schonbrun leads a family service.
Tashlich
During the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Beth David performs the Tashlich service at Calabazas Park (Blaney and Homestead). We gather by the creek and symbolically cast our sins into the flowing water. Then we have a potluck snack at the park.
Yom Kippur
The Day of Atonement is a day of fasting, reflection, prayer, confession, and forgiveness. Fasting means that we abstain from eating, drinking, sexual relations, and luxuries. We suggest that you follow the custom of wearing white clothes and non-leather shoes. The white clothes are a sign of purity, a remembrance of the white robes of the High Priest on Yom Kippur, and a reminder of our own mortality (since shrouds are white). Leather is one of the signs of luxury. Many of our members have adopted this practice, and it’s an impressive sight.
During the break between Musaf (the additional part of the service that contains many elements unique to Yom Kippur) and Minhah, the afternoon service, we encourage you to stay at the synagogue. It makes for an easier fast and a deeper experience of the day. Toward the end of the break we provide a learning session, usually led by our Rabbis, on some relevant theme.
The Neilah service ends the day. It is always an impressive and uplifting experience at Beth David. Kehillah Ketanah worshippers join with Kehillah Gedolah, and it typically is standing room only. We end with a mass sounding of the shofar.
Sukkot
Sukkot is called Z’man Simhateinu, the time of our joy. In fact, it is a mitzvah (sacred obligation) to rejoice: And you should be happy before the Lord your God for seven days. (Leviticus 23:40). Sukkot began as a harvest festival, but it also commemorates the Israelites’ wandering in the desert, when they lived in sukkot—temporary shelters. Today we build sukkot and eat in them (some even sleep in them) to recall that time and to experience Creation more directly than we usually do. At Beth David, we build a very large sukkah, and have communal meals in them after services. There are services on Erev Sukkot (the night before) and the first two mornings.
The Four Species (Arba·ah Minim)
The Four Species, also called the lulav and etrog, are the citron (etrog), palm branch (lulav), myrtle (hadas) and willow (aravot). The last three are bound together and held with the etrog. We wave them to the four points of the compass and up and down, to symbolize God’s presence everywhere. We also parade with them in a processional during the morning service, chanting prayers called Hoshanot. If you come to these services, you will be given a sheet with instructions and interpretations, and have the opportunity to bless the Four Species. If you are unsure of what to do, people will be happy to guide you.
Hoshanah Rabbah
This is the seventh day of Sukkot. The name means something like “the great plea for deliverance. It is considered to be the last day of the season of reflection and repentance that began with Elul. The service is marked by seven processions around the synagogue with the Four Species, with chants of Hoshanot (prayers for deliverance), culminating in the beating of willow branches, which dates back to the says of the Temple as a prayer for rain. We typically do this service together with Congregation Sinai, and we take turns hosting it.
Shemini Atzeret
The eighth day of Sukkot is actually a separate holiday. The name means “Day of Assembly,” or possibly, “stopping.” It is the last holy day of the holiday-rich month of Tishrei. It’s most distinctive feature is the prayer for rain, Geshem. We here in California share with the land of Israel a long dry season and a very necessary rainy season, so we can appreciate the need for rain. The service also includes Yizkor, the memorial service for family members who have passed away.
Simhat Torah
This is one of our most joyous holidays. Technically, it is the second day in Diaspora of Shemini Atzeret, but long ago it was given its own meaning: to celebrate the Torah and the perpetual cycle of reading. At Beth David, we go full out in rejoicing. On Erev Simhat Torah (the night before), we sing and dance with the Torah scrolls during seven hakkafot (processions) around the sanctuary. Then everyone gets an Aliyah (honor of being called to the Torah) including children. On Simhat Torah morning, after seven more hakkafot and more singing and dancing, we stretch tables from one end of the fully opened sanctuary/social hall, and unroll an entire scroll. We even put out markers so people can find key parts of the Torah. It is a moving and impressive sight. Then we complete the reading of the Book of Deuteronomy, and immediately begin again with the first chapter of Genesis. In this way we express our love of Torah, and our commitment to continuous study throughout our lives in a never-ending cycle.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah means dedication, and this holiday commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, after the victory of the Jews, led by the Maccabees, over the Hellenistic empire based in Syria. It is the first battle for religious freedom in human history. The Talmud (the authoritative collection of Jewish law and lore) tells the story that when they came to rededicate the Temple, they wanted to light the Ner Tamid (perpetual light) that burned there, but there was only enough light for one night. Nevertheless, in a great act of hope and enthusiasm, they lit the lamp anyway, and it miraculously burned for eight nights. Thus there are eight nights of Hanukkah. It’s also true that previous Temple dedication ceremonies lasted eight days. Hanukkah is primarily a home holiday, but at Beth David it is also an occasion for educational and social events. For directions on how to celebrate Hanukkah at home, click here.
Tu Bishvat
Tu Bishvat mean’s the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Sh’vat, which is also called the New Year of the Trees. It originated with the need to calculate the ages of trees for the purposes of tithes and other laws. The date coincides with the very beginning of spring in the land of Israel. Indeed, if you are there at that time, you will usually see the earliest tree to blossom, the almond, in flower. Sephardic Jews developed a seder (ritual meal) for this day, which has been widely adopted in modern times. The day has also been embraced by Jewish environmentalists as a way of recalling our dependence on nature. At Beth David, the religious school usually celebrates in some way, and sometimes we have congregational observance as well.
Purim
Also known as the feast of Esther, this is one of our most vivid and joyous holidays. There are four mitzvot (religious obligations) associated with Purim.
Megillah—hearing the reading of Megillat Esther (scroll of Esther).
Se·udat Purim—having a special Purim feast.
Mishlo·ah Manot—Sending gifts of food to friends.
Mattanot La-evyonim—Gifts to the poor. Part of celebration is to help others to celebrate.
Purim at Beth David is great fun. We have a Purim Carnival the Sunday before Purim, with games and other entertainment. Another tradition is Queen Esther’s Kitchen, prepared by our Sisterhood, with delicious food. It’s great to see multiple generations sitting together and enjoying the day.
Megillah reading is raucous and high energy. Kids and adults are encouraged to come in costume, and many do. There are two “seatings” for the Megillah reading:
- Family Megillah—An abridged reading with shtick. We have had “Shushan Millionaire,” “The Harry Potter Megillah,” and many others.
- The Gantze Megillah (the whole Megillah)—This takes place later and is the full reading.
Passover (Pesah)
Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and the release from bondage. It is also called Z’man Heiruteinu, the time of our liberation. Though there are services on the first and last days of Passover, it is primarily a home holiday. Beth David provides support, advice and information. Often there are family education days and adult learning opportunities leading up to the holiday. We do not have a community Seder, but we matchup people without a Seder to attend with families who are happy to host them.
Shavuot
Also called Z’man Matan Torateinu, the time of the giving of our Torah, Shavuot commemorates the revelation of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. The Torah is the basis of Judaism—without it the liberation from Egypt would have been an escape with no higher goal. There are no real home observances for Shavuot, except for a custom of eating dairy foods. There are many explanations of this. On is that once they had received the Torah, the Israelites realized that they now had to keep kosher, which took some setting up. So, in the mean time, they ate dairy! At Beth David we follow the lovely tradition of a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an all-night study experience. Some years we go till midnight, other years we go until first light the next morning.
Tisha B’av
The Ninth of Av commemorates the destruction of both Temples, the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain, and many other tragedies of Jewish history. It is a day of fasting and mourning. The signature observance is the reading of the Book of Eichah (Lamentations) to a distinctive mournful chant. At Beth David we add English readings from different eras of Jewish history. We usually join forces with our neighbor congregations, and the location shifts from year to year.