| Observation |
Description |
Accommodation |
| TU B'SHVAT |
New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for titihing fruit of trees. Now a day for environmental awareness and action, such as tree planting |
|
| PURIM |
The "Feast of Lots" makrs the saving of the Jewish people of ancient Persia from extermination |
No restrictions on work but out of respect for the festival, Jews do not go about their ordinary business |
| PASSOVER/PESACH |
8th Day "Feast of Unleavened Bread" celebrates Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two (2) and last two (2) days of the holiday |
| YOM HASHOAH |
"Holocaust Remembrance Day" memorializes the heroic martyrdom of six million Jews who perished in the Nazi Holocaust |
Not a work holiday- academics and work are permitted |
| LAG B'OMER |
Celebrates the end of a divine-sent plague and/or Roman occupation during Rabbi Akiva's lifetime (died c. 135 CE) |
|
| SHAVUOT |
The "Feast of Weeks" celebrates the covenant established at Sinai between God and Israel, and the revelation of the Ten Commandments. |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two (2) and last two (2) days of the holiday |
| TISH'A B'AV |
Mourning the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE |
Plan limited activities after a fast |
| ROSH HASHANAH |
Beginning of the Jewish New Year and first of the High Holy Days, which marks the beginning of a ten-day period of pentience and spiritual renewal |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. For events, provide food accommodations as requested (kosher restrictions) |
| YOM KIPPUR |
The "Day of Atonement" marks the end of the Ten Days of Pentience that begin with Rosh Hashanah |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date and after a day of fasting |
| SUKKOT |
The week long "Feast of Booths" commemorates the 40-year wandering of the Israelites in the desert on the way to the Promised Land |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two (2) days |
| SHEMINI ATZERET |
"The Eighth [Day] of Assembly" observed on the day immediately following Sukkot |
| Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. For events, provide food accommodations as requested (kosher restrictions) |
|
| SIMCHAT TORAH |
"Rejoicing in the Torah" celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and its beginning anew |
| Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. For events, provide food accommodations as requested (kosher restrictions) |
|
| HANUKKAH |
Eight-day "Festival of Lights," also known as Chanukah, celebrating the rededication of the Temple to the service of God in 164 BCE. Commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek King, Antiochus, who sought to suppress freedom of worship. |
Academics and work permitted, not a work holiday |
