| Festival | 2006-07 |
| Rosh Hashanah | Saturday 23rd September |
| Yom Kippur | Monday 2nd October |
| Sukkot | Saturday 7th October |
| Simchat Torah | Saturday 14th October |
| Chanukah | Saturday 26th December |
| Purim | Sunday 4th March |
| Pesach | Tuesday 3rd April - Monday 9th April |
| Yom HaShoah | Sunday 15th April |
| Yom Ha'Atzmaut | Monday 23rd April |
| Shavuot | Wednesday 23rd May |
| Tisha B'Av | Tuesday 24th July |
| Selichot | Saturday 8th September |
Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish new year falls on the 1st of Tishri (the 7th month). Since earliest times, Rosh Hashanah has been observed as the Day of Judgement and a time of spiritual introspection. It is highlighted by the blowing of the shofar and begins 10 days of repentance leading to Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement and the most sacred day of the Jewish calendar. Repentance is the hallmark of our humanity and Judaism affirms that change is possible. The tradition reminds us that while Yom Kippur atones for sins between human beings and God, it does not bring forgiveness between human beings until they have first sought reconciliation from each other.
Sukkot - This seven day autumn festival marks the harvest at the end of the year. It is celebrated by dwelling in booths which are decorated with seasonal fruits and covered with foliage. The 4 species (arbaminim) made up of the lulav (palm, myrtle & willow) and etrog are waved in the directions of the compass to symbolise our joy at God's abundant harvest.
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah - The 8th day of Sukkot is a separate festival in itself called Shemini Atzeret - the 'closing' festival. In Israel for all Jews and among Progressive Jews in the Diaspora, this day is also known as Simchat Torah, when the annual cycle of readings from the Torah conclude and the new cycle immediately begins again.
Channukah ('Dedication') - celebrates the rededication of the Temple by the victorious Maccabees (167 B.C.E.) in the struggle against the Syrian King Antiochus and his suppression of the Jewish religion. Candles are lit for 8 days from 25th Kislev in commemoration of the event.
Purim - commemorates the day when the Jews of Persia were saved from annihilation by Haman through the intervention of Mordecai and Queen Esther.
Pesach ('Passover') - celebrates Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage during the Exodus. The festival is observed for seven days in Israel and by Progressive Jews throughout the world.
Yom Hashoah - the 27th Nissan is commemorated as Holocaust Day to perpetuate the memory of the six million Jews who perished in World War II.
Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Israel Independence Day - when the Jews of Eretz Yisrael proclaimed their independence and set up a provisional government of Israel on 5th Iyar 5708.
Shavout - the Feast of Weeks - completes the seven week period from the second day of Passover on which the Omer (a measure) of the new barley was brought to the Temple. As an agricultural festival, it celebrates the early wheat harvest in Israel. As an historical festival, it commemorates the covenant at Sinai between God and Israel.
Tisha B'Av - (9th Av) is a traditional fast day (among Orthodox Jews) which marks the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem as well as other tragic events in Jewish history.
Selichot - The Selichot service is designed to help worshipers direct their hearts and minds to the process of teshuvah. The Selichot service is traditionally held on the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah, as long as Rosh Hashanah does not fall on the very next day. Otherwise, it’s held a week before in order to give people a chance to reflect on the changes of behavior that they wish to make.