Holidays
Customs
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The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy
This post offers the Hebrew and English text of The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, as well as a calming melody composed by The Nava
Selichot Service with Kabbalistic Intentions
This link opens up a 38 page long Kabbalistic Selichot Service, containing the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of traditional prayers,
Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Simanim Seder
This 3 page long PDF document offers a sample Rosh Hashanah Simanim Seder, originally a Sephardic tradition in which blessings are
Conservative Tashlich Texts (English & Hebrew)
This excerpt from the Conservative Machzor Lev Shalom for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur presents the special prayers and passages recited during
Hatarat Nedarim: Annulment of Vows Before Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
This post from JewishContent.org provides the English text of the Hatarat Nedarim ceremony, in which a person formally annuls his/her vows
How to Find a Machzor (High Holiday Prayer Book)
This comprehensive article serves as a guide to finding the right High Holiday Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Audio Recordings of Ashkenazi High Holiday Liturgy
This link will take you to the musical prayer navigator of Mechon Hadar, where you can find audio recordings for each
Audio Recordings of Sephardic High Holiday Liturgy
This link will take you to the High Holiday section of the Sephardic Hazzanut Project website, where you can listen
Achot Ketana: A Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Piyut
This post presents the lyrics and a musical rendition of Achot Ketanah (Little Sister), a liturgical poem sung in many
What is Rosh Hashanah? The Jewish New Year
This 4-minute long animated video presents an excellent overview of the rituals, customs and significance of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Useful
Yizkor: The Memorial Prayer
This informative article from Chabad.org provides the Hebrew, English and transliterated text for the Yizkor memorial prayer recited following the
Peoplehood: A Resource for Tikkun Leil Shavuot
This 4-page PDF document provides six sources which address the theme of ‘Peoplehood’ intended for learning with a partner (chevruta)
Standing Together: A Social Justice Guide to Shavuot and the Omer
This link opens up a 44 page PDF document full of articles, resources, activities, and programs for Shavuot and the
Akdamut: Text & Commentary on a Liturgical Poem for Shavuot
This 8-page long PDF document provides the Aramaic text and English translation of Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during
Tikkun Leil Shavuot Videos & Study Guides from the Reform Movement
This link provides a collection of short videos of Torah lectures with guiding questions for discussion and reflection that can
Prayer for the Peace of Israel During Wartime
This prayer for the peace of Israel during wartime was written by the late Rabbi Ron Aigen for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call
A Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all People
This prayer for peace and reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people was written by Rabbi Sam Feinsmith for T’ruah: The Rabbinic
WUJS’s Thought Provoking Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Students
This link will take you to Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities, a site with several thought provoking activities that encourage students in the Diaspora to
The Masorti Movement’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Twilight: Moving from Memorial to Independence, a ceremony written by the Masorti Foundation
A Reconstructionist Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts for the Prayer for the State of Israel from the Reconstructionist Kol
Beit Tefilah Israeli’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Havdalah: A Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, a Hebrew and
An Amended Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for a new version of the prayer for the soldiers of the Israel
The Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces,
The Traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel,
Ideas
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Rosh Hashanah Infographic
This infographic from Aish.com lays out the various traditions and rituals of the Jewish New Year in a concise and
Feeling the Love in Judgement: Special for the High Holidays
In this short and sweet animated video, Rabbi David Aaron shares the profound message that judgement is actually an act
What is Rosh Hashanah? The Jewish New Year
This 4-minute long animated video presents an excellent overview of the rituals, customs and significance of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Useful
Akdamut: Text & Commentary on a Liturgical Poem for Shavuot
This 8-page long PDF document provides the Aramaic text and English translation of Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during
Why do Jews Eat Cheesecake on Shavuot?
This minute-long video from the My Jewish LearningYouTube Channel offers two explanations for the popular Ashkenazi custom to eat dairy
Shavuot: The Day that Shook the World
This minute-and-a-half long video, creatively produced to resemble a movie trailer, presents the eternal influence of the revelation of the Torah
Shavuot in 60 Seconds
This minute long animated video presents a brief overview of the origins, significance and customs of Shavuot. Useful for people of all ages, with
Reenactment of the Biblical Shavuot First-Fruits & Twin Loaves Offerings
This 4-minute long video presents a reenactment of the first-fruit and twin loaves offerings, as they were performed in the ancient Temple
What is Shavuot? An Introductory Video for All
This 4-minute long animated video presents an excellent overview of the origins, significance and customs of Shavuot, dubbed “the most important Jewish Holiday
A Message from the URJ for Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaut
In this short video, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the President of the Union for Reform Judaism, encourages viewers to commemorate, connect
The Impossible Transition Between Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut
In this 6:20 long video, Daniel Gordis describes the challenge and meaning behind the transition between the deep grief of Yom
In Search of a Poetic Ritual for Yom HaZikaron/Ha’Atzmaut
In this blog post, Rabbi Ela Merom asks complex questions about how we use communal memory as we move through
What is Yom Ha’atzmaut and How is it Celebrated?
This 3 and a half minute long video provides a thorough introduction to Yom Ha’Atzmaut, focusing on the various religious and
Learn How
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A Guide to the High Holiday Prayers
This thorough article provides an overview of the contents, structure and themes of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur prayer
How to Find a Machzor (High Holiday Prayer Book)
This comprehensive article serves as a guide to finding the right High Holiday Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
How to Make High Holiday Synagogue Services Meaningful
This honest article presents six simple tips to transform lengthy, frustrating services into a meaningful prayer experience. With an emphasis
How to Blow the Shofar
This short instructional video demonstrates how to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, including an explanation of the three different
What is Rosh Hashanah? The Jewish New Year
This 4-minute long animated video presents an excellent overview of the rituals, customs and significance of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Useful
Yizkor: The Memorial Prayer
This informative article from Chabad.org provides the Hebrew, English and transliterated text for the Yizkor memorial prayer recited following the
Standing Together: A Social Justice Guide to Shavuot and the Omer
This link opens up a 44 page PDF document full of articles, resources, activities, and programs for Shavuot and the
Reenactment of the Biblical Shavuot First-Fruits & Twin Loaves Offerings
This 4-minute long video presents a reenactment of the first-fruit and twin loaves offerings, as they were performed in the ancient Temple
Remembrance & Renewal: Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Children
This post presents a series of fun and educational games and activities about the history and significance of the State
HaTikvah: The National Anthem of the State of Israel
This video presents Israel’s national anthem, HaTikvah (The Hope), with on-screen Hebrew, English and transliterated subtitles. Adapted from a poem
WUJS’s Thought Provoking Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Students
This link will take you to Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities, a site with several thought provoking activities that encourage students in the Diaspora to
The Masorti Movement’s Transitional Ceremony between Yom Ha’Zikaron & Yom Ha’Atzmaut
This link opens up a PDF file of Twilight: Moving from Memorial to Independence, a ceremony written by the Masorti Foundation
Music
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The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy
This post offers the Hebrew and English text of The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, as well as a calming melody composed by The Nava
Audio Recordings of Ashkenazi High Holiday Liturgy
This link will take you to the musical prayer navigator of Mechon Hadar, where you can find audio recordings for each
Audio Recordings of Sephardic High Holiday Liturgy
This link will take you to the High Holiday section of the Sephardic Hazzanut Project website, where you can listen
Achot Ketana: A Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Piyut
This post presents the lyrics and a musical rendition of Achot Ketanah (Little Sister), a liturgical poem sung in many
Fountainheads: Dip Your Apple
A Rosh Hashanah- themed parody of Waka Waka by Shakira, this high-energy music video features The Fountainheads singing about the hope and
Alicia Jo Rabins: An Indie-Folk Rendition of Ruth’s Journey
This animated music video presents the biblical story of Ruth, retold by singer-songwriter Alicia Jo Rabins through an original indie-folk song. The
A Children’s Song for Shavuot
This upbeat, catchy song celebrates the excitement of the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah. Sung in
The Ten Commandments: A Shavuot Song for Kids
This upbeat, animated music video presents the Ten Commandments from the Torah in an amusing, kid-friendly way, with modernized lyrics,
Gad Elbaz: The Prayer for the IDF
This video presents popular Israeli artist Gad Elbaz’s musical rendition of the prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, which
Kobi Oz: Prayer for the State of Israel
This video presents Israeli musician Kobi Oz’s original version for the Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel.
HaTikvah: The National Anthem of the State of Israel
This video presents Israel’s national anthem, HaTikvah (The Hope), with on-screen Hebrew, English and transliterated subtitles. Adapted from a poem
The Pendulum: Between Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha’atzmaut
This somber song by Kaila Shabat touches on the challenge of moving from the intense grief of Yom Hazikaron to
The Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces,
The Traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel,
Miscellaneous
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Prayers Ascend to Heaven at the Western Wall
Through beautiful imagery and animation, this video conveys the power of prayer, depicting the traditional Jewish belief that prayers of
An Alternative Avinu Malkeinu: Our Parent, Our Sovereign
Written by Rabbi Burt Jacobson of the Jewish Renewal movement, this alternative version of the liturgical prayer, Avinu Malkeinu, refers to God
An Israel-Focused High Holiday Lesson Plan
This thorough lesson plan aims to help students “taste” the ethnic diversity of the Jewish communities in Israel, experience the immense
A Mikveh Immersion Ceremony for Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
This post provides the outline and texts for a mikveh immersion ceremony to spiritually prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kesher V’Gesher: A Prayer for Rosh Hashanah
This poem by Trisha Arlin describes the intensity of the process of repentance and growth of the High Holiday season, focusing on the power
Shofar Meditations for the Days of Awe
This post offers two guided meditations based on the imagery and spiritual power of the shofar. Designed for Rosh Hashanah and
Address by Israeli President Ezer Weizman in Germany
This post presents the full text of President Ezer Weizman’s famous speech in a joint session for the two chambers
Remembrance & Renewal: Yom Ha’atzmaut Activities for Children
This post presents a series of fun and educational games and activities about the history and significance of the State
Prayer for the Peace of Israel During Wartime
This prayer for the peace of Israel during wartime was written by the late Rabbi Ron Aigen for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call
A Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all People
This prayer for peace and reconciliation for Israelis, Palestinians, and all people was written by Rabbi Sam Feinsmith for T’ruah: The Rabbinic