Holidays at NSCI
We invite you to join us for the many Jewish holidays throughout the year. We create the right environment taking into consideration music, accessibility, and liturgy.
From lively Purim celebrations for the kids to unrolling the Torah for Simchat Torah for all of our congregants, we’d love to have you join us for the holidays.
Holidays form the circle of the Jewish year. While celebrating and observing with our community fills an important role, there is also an essential component that we can fulfill at home, especially for our children, for whom we set the example of Jewish worship.
We offer these holiday guides to help you participate and understand their importance. You will find resources for you and your family, as well as programs and events at NSCI closer to the time of each holiday. Enjoy.
High Holy Days
NSCI hits a high note during the High Holy Days. Our building is abuzz with congregants of all ages from morning to night. We have many services from which to choose. Congregants and non-congregants are invited to our community services. The dates for High Holy Days 2024/5785 are as follows:
- Erev Rosh Hashanah—Wednesday, October 2nd
- Rosh Hashanah First Day—Thursday, October 3rd
- Rosh Hashanah Second Day—Friday, October 4th
- Kol Nidre—Friday, October 11th
- Yom Kippur—Saturday, October 12th
Resources
At-Home Resources and Activities Book
Shofar Lesson with Cantor Goldstein
Archived Sermons from 2023
Rabbi Lisa Greene's Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon Text (text)
Rabbi Lisa Greene's Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon (video)
Rabbi Wendi Geffen's Rosh Hashanah Sermon Text (text)
Rabbi Wendi Geffen's Rosh Hashanah Traditional Service Sermon (video)
Rabbi Wendi Geffen's Kol Nidre Alternative Service Teaching Text Sheet (text)
Rabbi Wendi Geffen's Kol Nidre Traditional Service Sermon (video)
Rabbi Wendi Geffen's Kol Nidre Traditional Service Sermon Text Sheet (text)
Rabbi Jacob Leizman's Yom Kippur Traditional Service Sermon (Video)
Rabbi Lisa Greene's Yizkor Message Text (text)
Rabbi Lisa Greene's Yizkor Message (video)
For Kids:
The Rosh Hashanah Special with Bim Bam
Dip the Apple Song with Bim Bam
Getting Kids Ready for Yom Kippur: Really, Really Sorry: Learning Slicha with Bim Bam
High Holy Days at Home: A PJ Library Family Guide
Big List of High Holy Day Resources for Families with Young Children
Celebrating the High Holy Days as a Family
Talking to Your Kids about Yom Kippur
How to Ready Your Young Child for Yom Kippur
Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, and Simchat torah
We celebrate Sukkot with activities for children, families, and adults throughout the week. On the last day (Shmini Atzeret), we offer a Yizkor/memorial service that proves meaningful and comforting year after year. Our dates for celebrating Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Shmini Atzaret are as follows:
- Sukkot—Wednesday, October 16th–Wednesday, October 23rd
- Simchat Torah—Wednesday, October 23rd
- Shmini Atzaret—Thursday, October 24th
Resources:
5 Sukkot Activities You Can Do with What You Have at Home
Sukkot, Diversity, and Unity: How Each of Us is Like the Four Species
How Can I Observe Sukkot If I Do Not Have A Sukkah?
How Did Simchat Torah Get So Popular?
For Kids:
Kid-Friendly Snacks for the Sukkah
Shalom Sesame: Avigail & Brosh Explain Hachnasat Orchim (Welcoming Guests into the Sukkah)
7 Fun Things to Do With Kids on Simchat Torah
Chanukah
Chanukah 2024 begins with the first night on Wednesday, December 25th and ends with the eighth night on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025.
Resources:
Betty Greene's Latke Recipe (Rabbi Greene's mother)
For Kids:
The Chanukah Shaboom! Special with Bim Bam
Purim
Purim is for everyone—not just kids! Experience the joy of the holiday with fun events at NSCI and activities you can do on your own time. Beginning March 13th, enjoy a week’s worth of activities leading up to Purim, which begins the evening of Saturday, March 23rd, and ends at sundown on Sunday, March 24th. Did we mention a raffle prize? Click here for more info on Mission Purim!
Purim is a joyous holiday celebrating the saving of the Jews from a threatened massacre during the Persian period (539-330 BCE).
Resources:
NSCI Clergy and Staff Tell the Purim Story in this Animated Video
9 Things You Didn't Know About Purim
How to Make Perfect Hamentaschen + Recipe
Learn About Other Purim Food -- it's not all about Hamentaschen!
Test Your Knowledge with this Purim Quiz!
Quiz: What Kind of Hamentaschen Are You?
For Kids:
An Encanto Purim By The Maccabeats
What is Purim? An Introduction to the Holiday with BimBam
Chag Purim (Hava Narisha RASH RASH RASH)
The Story of Purim Video from PJ Library
Mishenichnas Adar Sing-Along for Purim
Passover
Passover begins the evening of April 22nd and ends at sundown on April 30th.
Passover is a wonderful time to welcome guests into our homes, especially for those who do not have a place to go for the holiday. If you have an extra seat at your seder table, please contact Sue Ellenby, susane@nsci.org. so we can help connect you with someone who is looking for a seder to attend.
At NSCI we will celebrate Passover with the Passover Morning Experience and study on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 9:30 am, and a Yizkor or memorial ritual. The administrative office will close at 1:00 pm before the first Passover Seder on April 22nd and will remain closed until 9:00 am on April 25th. Additionally, the administration office will be closed on April 29th to allow staff to observe the final day of Passover.
Resources:
Dayenu Moments: NSCI’s 2021 Seder Supplement
Everything You Need to Host a Virtual Seder
Downloadable Haggadot for Adults
PJ Library Haggadah to Download
A Refresher: The Four Questions
Six13 Performs a Lion King Passover
Six13 Performs a Billy Joel Passover
For Kids:
Downloadable Haggadah For Families
Extra Resources for Kids: ShaBoom: What’s Different About Tonight? With Bim Bam
Cute Coloring Book: Pesach, Pesach What Do You See
Frogs Here, Frogs There, Song with Bim Bam
YOM HA'ATZMAUT
Yom Ha'atzmaut 2024 begins the evening of May 12th and ends at sundown on May 14th.
Yom Ha'atzmaut is Israeli Independence Day, commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948.
Resources:
How to Make Israeli Independence Day a Sacred Day
How to Talk to Kids About Israel
Read more about Yom Ha'atzmaut Customs
The Maccabeats Perform Megillat Ha'Atzmaut
For Kids:
Learn About Israeli Independence Day with Bim Bam (for families)
Activities for Kids Ages 9+ on Israeli Independence Day
Activities for Younger Kids on Israeli Independence Day
Shavuot
Shavuot 2024 begins the evening of June 11th and ends the evening of June 13th.
Shavuot is known as the Feast of Weeks. It celebrates the early summer grain harvest and also gives thanks for the Torah that was handed to us at Mount Sinai. The holiday is normally celebrated by eating a festive dairy meal, all nighters studying the Book of Ruth, and going to synagogue to hear the 10 Commandments.
What is Shavuot? All About the Jewish Holiday for Torah and Learning
Tikkun Leil Shavuot Videos and Study Guides
Online Tikkun Leil Shavuot Communal Study Events
18 Delicious Recipes for Shavuot (Besides Cheesecake)
For Kids:
Celebrate Shavuot with Shalom Sesame
The Book of Ruth for Kids
Mount Sinai Crafts for Kids (PJ Library)
Tue, April 23 2024
15 Nisan 5784
Rabbi Ryan Daniels 
