THE HOLIDAYS OF THE Jewish people are among the most beautiful celebrations in the world.  Jewish holidays are religious, and honor important events in the history of the Jewish people.

The celebrations are held in homes and in the synagogue, the house of worship. Ceremonies begin at sunset on the eve of the holiday.  These holidays are observed in the Jewish nation, Israel, and by Jewish people throughout the world.

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year. It is a time to repent for past sins and misdeeds. In every synagogue prayers are read. A ram's horn, called a shofar, is blown. This is the call for people to remember their past sins and to ask forgiveness for them.  At home, the people dip an apple and bread in honey. These acts call for hope in the new year. Rosh Hashana is the first day of a ten-day period of penance.

The tenth day is Yom Kippur, one of the holiest of all Jewish holidays. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.  It is a day of fasting, when people do not eat or drink. It is another day to repent for all sins. In the synagogue, services begin with the singing of a prayer, the Kol Nidre. The prayer begs for release from promises made to God that were not kept during the past year.  At the end of Yom Kippur services, atonement for the past year is completed, and a new year begins.  A candle burns in the home for the 24 hours of Yom Kippur.

One of the most festive Jewish holidays is Purim.  It is in celebration of the deed of Esther as told in the Bible.  The Book of Esther tells the story of an evil man named Haman who planned to kill all the Jews in Persia.   Esther, the queen of Persia, begged the king to help the Jews.  He did, and Haman was put to death. In the synagogue on Purim, the Book of Esther is read.  Every time the name of Haman is mentioned, the children stamp their feet and shake noisemakers.  Gifts are also given on Purim. In the past, children often dressed in costume on this day.

Hanukkah is a festival which lasts for eight days, it is sometimes called the Feast of Lights.  It occurs in December, and is a joyous occasion. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian king Antiochus.   According to Jewish history, Antiochus tried to force the Jews into paganism, and to destroy the Jewish people.  Led by Judas Maccabeus, the Jews defeated Antiochus.   They returned to Jerusalem to rededicate their temple.  The Jews found only enough sacred oil to burn for one day.  Yet the oil somehow burned for eight days.  Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days because of this miracle.

Each night of the eight nights of Hanukkah, a candle is lit, and prayers are said.  The eight candles are held in a candelabra called a menorah.

Hanukkah is a time for happy celebrations.  There are parties. Gifts are given. Special games are played, like the "dreidel" games.  The dreidel is a spinning top with four sides.  Each side has a letter of the Hebrew alphabet printed on it.

Hanukkah (rededication) has only five letters in the original Hebrew. In English there are at least 16 ways to spell it, including: Channuka, Channukah, Chanuka, Chanukah, Chanuko, Hannuka, Hannukah, Hanuka, Hanukah, Hanukkah, Kanukkah, Khannuka, Khannukah, Khanuka, Khanukah, Khanukkah, and Xanuka.

The most famous Jewish holiday is Passover. It celebrates the flight of the Jewish people from slavery as told in the Bible's Book of Exodus.   Led by Moses, the Jews came to the Promised Land to begin a new life of' freedom.

Passover occurs in March or April each year.  It lasts for eight days. Some groups of Jewish people, however, only observe seven days.  The eighth day was not added until the Middle Ages.

The most important part of the Passover celebration is Seder. It consists of both a religious service and a meal.  Special foods and wines are served.  During the eight days no leavened bread, which is bread made with yeast, may be eaten. The people eat matzoh, an unleavened bread.  On the table are symbols of Passover-a roasted lamb bone and a roasted egg.

Prayers are said and the story of Exodus is read. These are contained in a book of worship called the Haggadah. As part of the ceremony, the youngest child asks four questions about Passover.  The questions are always the same, and the answers are contained in the Haggadah.

Passover is a special holiday for children. They take an active part in the celebrations.  And it serves to remind them of the history of their people.

The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) begins at sunset on Friday of each week and ends at sunset on Saturday. Note: Jewish Holidays begin at sunset of the preceding evening.

Major Jewish Holidays

Star of David Seal	Star of David Seal
Fringes and Stripes Invitation	A Beautiful Bat Mitzvah
Colored Yarmulkes Joyful Harmony Opening Torah Serene Celebration Symbols of Tradition Coming of Age	Unfolding Torah A Colorful Calling Intertwined Tallit Six Pointed Stars Making the Passage Opening Torah
Bar Mitzvah Luncheon Bar Mitzvah Pen Bar Mitzvah CD Bar Mitzvah Banner Bar Mitzvah Mazel Tov Banner	Bat Mitzvah Luncheon Bat Mitzvah Pen Bat Mitzvah CD Bat Mitzvah Banner Bat Mitzvah Mazel Tov Banner
Dance Floor Give-Aways Bar / Bat Mitzvah	Star Invitations Bar/BatMitzvah Favors
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Invitations and Seals

Bar / Bat Mitzvah Gift Baskets

Bar / Bat Mitzvah
Welcome Your Guests! These attractive baskets can be used for Welcome Gifts for your out of town guests. They make great favors or centerpieces, too. Choose your bow color for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs, and say Mazel Tov.

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HANUKKAH

Hanukkah Paper Goods
Hanukkah Party Supplies
Hanukkah Party Items
Hanukkah Decorations

Star of David Paper Goods

Metallic Star Decoration

Judaic Paper Goods

Come to Light the Menorah

Mazel Tov Candles
Hanukkah Rainbow Candles

Hanukkah Decorama
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel!
Decorate for Hanukkah with the mini decorama. Accent the holiday and have 8 nights of fun. Matches the Hanukkah paper goods.

Plastic Dreidle
18" Dreidle Centerpiece
Dreidle Ceiling Decor

Happy Hanukkah 7' Banner
Hanukkah Stickers
Hanukkah Bear
Hanukkah Bear & Mug

Hanukkah Door Cover
Hanukkah 24" Dangles
Hanukkah Tinsel Garland
Hanukkah Confetti 4-pack