The reading of the Torah is an important part of all Jewish festivals and this happens only in the synagogue. Thus the synagogue plays a central role in all Jewish festivals.

Rosh Hashanah – This marks the New Year festival of the Jews. The morning service at the synagogue can last from four to six hours. On this day the shofar, or the ram's horn trumpet, is blown at the synagogue. It is sounded in hundred notes in a special rhythm. The sounding of the shofar marks the beginning of a ten-day period known as the Days of Awe, which ends with Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur – This is the Day of Atonement, the only day during which the synagogue conducts five services. Prayers last through the whole day, and the synagogue is usually very well attended.

Simchat Torah – During this festival the annual reading of the Torah is completed.

Shabbat - Jews attend the synagogue services on Shabbat, even if they are not able to do so during the week. In the ... More

The reading of the Torah is an important part of all Jewish festivals and this happens only in the synagogue. Thus the synagogue plays a central role in all Jewish festivals.

Rosh Hashanah – This marks the New Year festival of the Jews. The morning service at the synagogue can last from four to six hours. On this day the shofar, or the ram's horn trumpet, is blown at the synagogue. It is sounded in hundred notes in a special rhythm. The sounding of the shofar marks the beginning of a ten-day period known as the Days of Awe, which ends with Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur – This is the Day of Atonement, the only day during which the synagogue conducts five services. Prayers last through the whole day, and the synagogue is usually very well attended.

Simchat Torah – During this festival the annual reading of the Torah is completed.

Shabbat - Jews attend the synagogue services on Shabbat, even if they are not able to do so during the week. In the Synagogue, services are held on the eve of Shabbat eve (Friday night), on the morning of Shabbat (Saturday morning), and in the late Shabbat afternoon (Saturday afternoon). Shabbat is a Hebrew word which means ‘rest’. It is a Jewish holy day which begins at nightfall on Friday and lasts until nightfall on Saturday. In practical terms, it starts a few minutes before sunset on Friday and runs until an hour after sunset on Saturday, so it lasts about 25 hours. It is the fourth commandment by God to Jewish people.  The idea of Shabbat comes from the Bible story of the creation which says God did creation for six days and rested on the seventh day of the week. So Jews rest from work on the Shabbat and all chores like cleaning, cooking and shopping are finished before sunset on Friday. Shabbat candles are lit on Friday at sunset. Normally the woman of the house performs this ritual. The candles are placed in candlesticks. This marks the beginning of Shabbat and represents the two commandments of Zachor (to remember the Shabbat) and Shamor (to observe the Shabbat). After this, Jewish families drink a sweet wine from a special goblet known as the ‘Kiddush Cup’. The drinking of wine symbolises joy and celebration. Eating ‘challah’ (a soft rich eggy bread in the shape of a braid) is a tradition and the Observant Jews (orthodox Jews) recite the holy prayer before eating. During Shabbat, they are not allowed to watch television, not attend to the telephone or have busy work schedules. It is a day to be completely relaxed and stress- free and family and friends come together to celebrate the day. People greet each other with words such as ‘Shabbat Shalom’ (Hebrew), or ‘Gut Shabbos’ (Yiddish) which means ‘peace should be upon you’ and the reply to this is ‘Aleichem Shalom’ which means ‘and to you, too’. On Shabbat day Jewish people dress up well for the festival. On the Shabbat Jews eat three meals, which includes the dinner on Shabbat eve (Friday night), lunch on Shabbat day (Saturday), and a late afternoon meal (Saturday). Bread must be included in each one of them.

Pesach (Passover) - commemorates the biblical Passover and Exodus from Egypt.

Shavuot –This festival commemorates the giving of the Law by God on Mount Sinai. The synagogues are decorated with flowers and Jews attend services to hear the Rabbi read out teachings from the Torah. During this festival, Jews walk around the synagogue carrying an etrog, a large citrus fruit, and a lulav, a group of branches that traditionally includes a palm branch. These branches are waved in six directions, to remind people that God is present everywhere.

Sukkot – The festival commemorates the Sojourn in the Wilderness.

Tisha B’av - The destruction of the Temple is mourned on the fast of Tisha B’av (the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av).

Hanukkah – This commemorates the victory of the Maccabees and the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Purim – This commemorates the rescue of the Jewish people in the days of Queen Esther. The full story is read aloud at the synagogue.

Other festivals – these include the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day, which honors the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.  Israel Independence Day is celebrated to mark the restoration of national sovereignty to Israel.

Devotional Music: Zemirots are the Jewish hymns. These are usually sung in  Hebrew or Aramaic languages. Shabbat and Jewish holidays see the best performances of the Zemirots.