2024 High Holy Days::

Erev Rosh HaShannah
Wednesday October 2nd, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
2415 East 72nd Street, Indianapolis, IN

Rosh HaShannah
Thursday October 3rd, 10:30am - 12:30pm
2415 East 72nd Street, Indianapolis, IN

Kol Nidre
Friday October 11th, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
2415 East 72nd Street, Indianapolis, IN

Yom Kippur
Saturday October 12th, 10:30am - 12:30pm
2415 East 72nd Street, Indianapolis, IN

Sukkot Feast of Tabernacles
Free Admission
Sunday October 20th, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Broad Ripple Park
Indianapolis, IN
Sukkot Flyer Click Here

Regularly Scheduled Events:

Shabbat Services
Friday, Shabbat Service times 7:30 PM
First Friday of the Month "Messiah's Yizkor (Memorial) Service"
Second Friday of the Month "Torah Service"
Rest of the Month "Shabbat Services"

Youth Services - Gate Keepers
First Saturday of the Month "Gate Keepers"
Saturday, Service times 1:00-5:00 PM
Other Activities "To Be Announced"

High Holy Days Explained:

Tu B'Shevat
15 Shevat
Biblical in origin, a holiday that celebrates springtime renewal and growth. Traditions include eating fruit and planting trees.

Purim
14 Adar
Joyous holiday commemorating the rescue of the Jews by Queen Esther and her uncle Mordecai from the evil Haman. The story is read aloud and when Haman is mentioned in the Megillah (scroll) of Esther, people scream and turn groggers (noisemakers) to drown out his name. Traditions include parties, dances, mishloach manot (gift- giving), and eating hamentashen (three-cornered, fruit-filled pastries). Some also fast on the day before Purim to remember the three-day fast Esther requested of the Jews of Persia.

Pesach
15-22 Nissan
Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. At the seder (service and festive meal), the Haggadah (collection of texts and commentaries on the Exodus) is read and symbolic foods are eaten. In remembrance of the departure of the Israelites, who could not wait for their bread to rise before fleeing, matzah ( unleavened bread) is eaten for the eight days of Passover.

Yom HaShoah
27 Nissan
Day chosen by the Israeli Knesset in 1951 to mourn the millions killed in the Holocaust. Often commemorated with speeches by survivors and the reading of names. In Israel, a siren's blast allows collective remembrance in a moment of silence.

Yom HaZikaron
4 Iyar
Day of remembrance for all who sacrificed themselves for the state of Israel. Public observances include lighting of yahrzeit (memorial) candles, visiting graves and reciting psalms. In Israel, sirens blast once in the morning and then in the evening to begin Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

Yom HaAtzma'ut
5 Iyar
On May 14, 1948 Israel was declared an independent state. Many Jews world-wide celebrate with parades, festivals and donations to Jewish charities.

Shavuot
6-7 Sivan
Celebrated the day after Sefirat HaOmer ends to commemorate the giving of the Torah at Sinai and the spring harvest. Traditionally, Jews read the Ten Commandments and the Book of Ruth and eat dairy products. Religious school confirmation often takes place at this time.

Tisha B'Av
9 Av
Day of fasting and mourning commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, both of which took place on the ninth of Av. The Book of Lamentations is read, and some conduct services sitting on the floor.

Rosh Hashanah
29 Elul -2 Tishrei
Festive celebration during which individuals contemplate past, present, and future actions. Traditional foods include round challah and apples with honey, symbolizing wholeness and sweetness for the new year. Commences the Ten Days of Awe, which culminate on Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur
9 Tishrei
One of the holiest days of the Jewish year. Through fasting and prayer, Jews reflect upon their relationships with other people and with God, atoning for wrongdoings and failures to take right action. Ends at sunset with a blast of the shofar (ram's horn).

Sukkot
15-21 Tishrei
Seven-day holiday commemorating the fulfillment of God's promise to bring the Israelites to the Promised Land after forty years of wandering. Many people build a sukkah (booth), a temporary structure with a roof made of branches, modeled after the huts constructed in the desert. Also celebrated with the shaking of the lulav (assemblage of palm, willow and myrtle branches) and etrog (a lemon-like fruit).

Shemini Atzeret
22 Tishrei
Celebrated the day after Sukkot and thus sometimes considered an extension of that holiday. Marks the first time tefillat geshem (prayer for rain) is recited during services, a practice that continues until Pesach.

Simchat Torah
23 Tishrei
Celebrates the completion of the annual Torah-reading cycle. After finishing the last sentence of the chapter Devarim (Deuteronomy), the Torah is joyously paraded seven times around the synagogue. The new cycle begins immediately with a reading from Bereshit (Genesis).

Hannukah
25 Kislev - 2 Tevet
Eight-day holiday commemorating the Jewish victory over the Syrians and the miracle of the rededication of the Temple, when oil meant to last for one day burned for eight. Celebrated by lighting candles in a chanukiah (a nine-branched candelabrum), eating latkes (potato pancakes), playing with dreidels (spinning tops) and giving money or gifts.