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Rosh Hashanah (“The Head of the Year”)

Starts Wednesday, October 2^nd (sundown), ending at nightfall on Friday, October 4^th

Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar (a ram’s horn blown like a trumpet), and eating apples or round raisin challah dipped in honey—both symbolizing sweetness and the circular nature of starting the year over.

Another aspect of the Days of Awe (Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur) is tashlich (“casting off”). Small pieces of bread are tossed into flowing water, such as a creek or river, symbolically casting off our sins. The common greeting on Rosh Hashanah is “L’Shana Tova,” which in Hebrew means, “(have) a good year.”

Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”)

Starts Friday, October 11^th (sundown)

According to Jewish tradition, fervent prayer and honest soul searching lead to repentance and forgiveness. With genuine reflection, we can get the gift of a clean slate for the new year. Therefore, Yom Kippur is a day of prayer and introspection, observed through fasting and attending services.

Creation in Sand

Sunday, September 8^th | 10:30 AM (Russian-speaking families) and 4:00 PM (English)
Pozez JCC, Fairfax, VA

Yiddish singer, sand artist and Jewish educator, Zhenya Lopatnik, uses sand art to bring the story of creation to life. Following the mesmerizing displays, enjoy hands-on creation stations for the whole family to celebrate the return to school and enchanting tunes that create a magical experience. Register soon as capacity for each show is limited.

Shofar Making in the Park – Woodbridge

Tuesday, September 10^th | 4:00 PM
Park in Woodbridge, VA

Join the Pozez JCC JFamily Ambassadors for a special shofar (ram’s horn) making in the park; families will craft their own toy shofars in celebration of the High Holidays. This hands-on event offers a unique opportunity to learn about the significance of the shofar and its role in Jewish tradition.

Story Time at CJM

Thursday, September 12^th | 10:00 AM
Capital Jewish Museum, Washington, DC

Children and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and exploratory play as a means of reinforcing early literacy skills. The September 12^th theme is trying new things and shehecheyanu (blessing for first times); the October 10^th theme is forgiveness and the High Holidays.

Little Bookworms – Burke

Friday, September 13^th | 10:30 AM
Burke Centre Library, Burke, VA

Bring your little ones to the Pozez JCC story times at local libraries, where we’ll dive into enchanting tales that teach about Jewish holidays and values. Each session is packed with fun, laughter, and learning—perfect for sparking a love of reading in your child.

Rosh Hashanah: Celebrating the Start of the Jewish Calendar

Sunday, September 15^th | 2:00 PM
Edlavitch DCJCC, Washington, DC

In this program for children and their adults, we will learn about the cycle of the Jewish year and think about what we want this new year to bring for us.

Little Bookworms – Fairfax

Monday, September 16^th | 10:30 AM
Fairfax Regional Library, Fairfax, VA

Bring your little ones to the Pozez JCC story times at local libraries, where we’ll dive into enchanting tales that teach about Jewish holidays and values. Each session is packed with fun, laughter, and learning—perfect for sparking a love of reading in your child.

Make Your Own Apple Tree Craft – Catharpin

Tuesday, September 17^th | 4:00 PM
Park in Catharpin, VA

Join the Pozez JCC JFamily Ambassadors for a creative session where we’ll make apple trees using paper lunch bags, green and red construction paper, and glue. This hands-on project is a delightful way to welcome the New Year, learn about the holiday, and enjoy some quality time together.

The World’s Birthday – Rosh Hashanah at MILTON

Sunday, September 22^th | 10:00-11:30 AM
Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School, Washington, DC

Please join MILTON and PJ Library with your 3-5 year old as we prepare for the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Children will hear a story, use their imaginations to design and build, and explore MILTON’s South Campus playground.

Pick with PJ

Sunday, September 22^th | 1:00-3:00 PM
Two locations: Stribling Orchard in Markham, VA and Waters Orchard in Germantown, MD

Head to the apple orchard to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Grandparents Day! We’ll pick apples, have professional family photos taken, read stories, and do two mitzvah (good deed) projects (making cards for Jewish military service members and donating apples to a local food bank). This event is being held in two locations; choose the one that’s best for your family.

This program is a collaboration of The Jewish Federation, PJ Library, Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia, Bender JCC, Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County, Congregation Adat Reyim, and Congregation Beth Emeth.

Apple Masterpieces in the Park – Dale City

Tuesday, September 24^th | 4:00 PM
Park in Dale City, VA

Bim Bom Bags: High Holidays with the Bender and Pozez JCCs

Purchase by Wednesday, September 25^th for delivery by October 1^st

MD families sign up with the Bender JCCGW

VA families sign up with the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia

Great Big Challah Bake

Thursday, September 26^th | 7:00 PM
Pozez JCC, Fairfax, VA

Get into the spirit of the Jewish New Year as we learn to braid a round challah for Rosh Hashanah, as well as a traditional loaf. Share a special evening of community & unity with a diverse group of Jewish women and girls of all ages & stages. The evening includes all of your baking supplies; an apron; delicious refreshments, a take home gift and more! Register by September 19^th.

Picnic and Pretend: Challah – Springfield

Friday, September 27^th | 11:30 AM
Park in Springfield, VA
Join us for a delightful afternoon in the park where families can enjoy a picnic lunch and get creative by making toy challah! Bring your own picnic and gather with friends as we braid yarn into beautiful, toy challah loaves. It’s a fun and hands-on way to introduce the tradition of challah-making to young children while enjoying the fresh air and the company of our community. Perfect for ages 2-5.

Pre-Rosh Hashanah Pop-up in the Park

Saturday, September 28^th | 11:00 AM
Hill Havurah, Washington, DC

Meet Rabbi Hannah and Laurie Solnik for some Rosh Hashanah fun before the holiday with songs, a story, and a shofar blast to usher in the new year, followed by apples and honey sticks to fuel some playtime fun. (Please note that this event has moved indoors due to the weather forecast.)

Day of Awesome

Sunday, September 29^th | 10:00 AM
Edlavitch DCJCC, Washington, DC

Enjoy live music, dancing, and yoga with children’s entertainer Auntie A (from Rhythm ‘n’ Ruach with Auntie A); Rosh Hashanah-themed arts and crafts stations; library time with books about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; and of course, seasonal snacks! Geared towards ages 0-6 but all are welcome.

“Measuring a Year, A Rosh Hashanah Story” Featuring Illustrator Zara Gonzalez Hoang

Sunday, September 29^th | 10:30 AM
Pozez JCC, Fairfax, VA

Ohr Kodesh’s Annual Rosh Hashanah Fest

Sunday, September 29^th | 11:00 AM
Ohr Kodesh Congregation, Chevy Chase, MD

Rosh Hashanah Fest is Ohr Kodesh’s family friendly pre-holiday celebration. Prepare to welcome the Jewish New Year with hands-on craft projects, games, and activities. Hear the shofar and participate in a tzedakah project to do good in the community.

Apples and Honeys

Thursday, October 3^rd | 10:00 AM
Bender JCC, Rockville, MD

Tashlich on the Anacostia

Thursday, October 3^rd | 5:30 PM
Yards Park, Washington, DC

Story Time at CJM: Forgiveness and Friendship

Thursday, October 10^th | 10:00 AM
Capital Jewish Museum, Washington, DC

Children and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and exploratory play as a means of reinforcing early literacy skills. The October theme is forgiveness and the High Holidays.

I’m Sorry Day

Saturday, October 12^th | 10:00 AM
Bender JCC, Rockville, MD

Teaching your little ones to say “I’m sorry” is a great way to begin explaining the holiday of Yom Kippur. Join us with early childhood music specialist Lisa Baydush for a 45-minute family-filled morning where we will explain this holiday in a tot-friendly musical way. After the music program, we encourage you and your family to stay and connect at our playground.

Reverse Tashlich at Lake Accotink

Sunday, October 13^th | 9:00 AM
Lake Accotink Park, Springfield, VA

This year, embrace a meaningful twist on tradition with Reverse Tashlich (a Jewish tradition practiced during the High Holiday season). During Tashlich, people symbolically cast away their regrets into a body of water, reflecting spiritual renewal and repentance. Gather with us for a Reverse Tashlich, as we clean up Lake Accotink, removing litter and restoring the beauty of our local waters. This is a community clean up to collect trash and debris from the lake and surrounding areas. RSVP by October 11^th.

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Jump to this week’s events

Sukkot (“Feast of Booths”)

Starts Wednesday, October 16^th (sundown) and ends at nightfall, Wednesday, October 23^rd

The holiday of Sukkot is named after the booths or huts in which Jews are supposed to eat and sometimes sleep during this week-long festival. On each day of the holiday, members of the household recite a blessing over the lulav (a frond from a date palm tree, tied with branches of the willow and myrtle trees) and etrog (yellow citron).

Shemini Atzeret (“Eighth Day of Assembly”)

Starts Wednesday, October 23^rd (sundown)

The distinguishing feature of Shemini Atzeret is the prayer for rain. Rain and water are key to survival in the Middle East, from the days of the Israelites through today. If you want to learn more about it, you can read Maya Prays for Rain by Susan Tarcov, the first PJ Library book about this little-known holiday!

Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing with the Torah”)

Starts Thursday, October 24^th (sundown), ending at nightfall on Friday, October 25^th

Simchat Torah is a celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. It takes place in the synagogue, with reading and joyous dancing and singing,

Reverse Taschlich

Sunday, October 13^th | 6:00 PM
Accotink, VA

Join us to do a mitzvah (good deed) for the environment by participating in a waterways cleanup! See above for details.

Erev Sukkot Service with Blessing of the Animals

Wednesday, October 16^th | 6:00 PM
Temple Shalom
8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD

Sukkah Village

Saturday, October 19^th | 5:45 PM
Bender JCC
6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD

Sukkot: What Makes a Home?

Sunday, October 20^th | 2:00 PM
Edlavitch DCJCC, Washington, DC

In this program for children and their adults, we will explore questions about the holiday of Sukkot and the structure of a sukkah as we decorate the EDCJCC sukkah.