The High Holy Days are here! While “High Holy Days” generally refers to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, there are two Hebrew terms that refer somewhat differently to these days. One is the Yamim Noraim, or Days of Awe, the 10 days which include the two high holidays and the days between. The other is the chagim, which includes the entire arc of the season, through Sukkot, which starts five days after Yom Kippur, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which immediately follow Sukkot. The chagim comprise a whole holiday season, and the arc of the season is itself a spiritual and emotional path. From reflection and introspection to celebration, harvest and re-engagement with ourselves and our circles of connection; from apples and honey and round challah to the pomegranates and pumpkins of Sukkot, from holding the mahzor (high holy day praybook) to shaking the lulav to dancing with the Torah.
I look forward to doing all of this with our wonderful community. Please consider inviting friends and family to join us for any part of the holidays, as they are a wonderful chance to connect with Jewish life and with US!
Wishing all of us Shabbat Shalom and L’shanah Tovah,
Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller
Rosh Hashanah, Sept.11-13, 2026
September 10, 2026 by Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller • D'var Torah, Julie Saxe-Taller
The High Holy Days are here! While “High Holy Days” generally refers to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, there are two Hebrew terms that refer somewhat differently to these days. One is the Yamim Noraim, or Days of Awe, the 10 days which include the two high holidays and the days between. The other is the chagim, which includes the entire arc of the season, through Sukkot, which starts five days after Yom Kippur, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which immediately follow Sukkot. The chagim comprise a whole holiday season, and the arc of the season is itself a spiritual and emotional path. From reflection and introspection to celebration, harvest and re-engagement with ourselves and our circles of connection; from apples and honey and round challah to the pomegranates and pumpkins of Sukkot, from holding the mahzor (high holy day praybook) to shaking the lulav to dancing with the Torah.
I look forward to doing all of this with our wonderful community. Please consider inviting friends and family to join us for any part of the holidays, as they are a wonderful chance to connect with Jewish life and with US!
Wishing all of us Shabbat Shalom and L’shanah Tovah,
Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller