Celebrate the Fall Holidays with PJ Library!

The Jewish High Holy Days begin with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) on Friday, September 15^th, at sundown. For the following week, Jewish families around the world will gather to celebrate these occasions with services, symbolic foods, hearing the shofar and gathering with family and friends. These “Days of Awe” culminate with Yom Kippur (the day of atonement), but then celebrations continue with Sukkot (the feast of booths), Shemini Atzeret (featuring prayers for rain in Israel) and Simchat Torah (“rejoicing in the Torah”).

We hope that you will join one of these great community events from our partners that celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. (Click the holiday names to skip to the program listing for that holiday.)

Rosh Hashanah (“The Head of the Year”) Starts Friday, September 15th (sundown), ending at nightfall on Sunday, September 17th 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 Sunday, September 24th (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.

Find a Family-Friendly Holiday Service

For additional High Holiday services, check out the Jconnect list of services throughout the community, open to families who aren’t members of a congregation.

All of the events below require pre-registration, so please plan ahead!

Military Mitzvah Card Project

PJ Library and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington are partnering with local families to send High Holiday cards to Jewish military stationed in Alaska and all over the world! Sign up to send a card by August 31^st or September 7^th!

Jewish New Year Mindfulness Walk: A Self Guided Practice

Wednesday, September 13^th –25^th
Rock Creek Park

Little Bookworms (Burke) with Growing Jewish Families

Friday, September 15^th | 11:00 AM
Burke Centre Library (9000 Burke Lake Rd, Burke)

Calling all book lovers! — we invite you and your little one(s) to join us for High Holiday-themed story time! Each month you will learn about a Jewish holiday or value through books and have tons of fun.

Apples and Honey Fest

Friday, Sunday, September 15^th | 5:00 PM
Shaare Torah Congregation (1409 Main Street, Gaithersburg) 

Get in the spirit of the New Year with a live outdoor Rosh Hashanah concert and picnic for all ages! An outdoor Maariv service will follow.

Tot Erev Rosh Hashanah & Family Services

Friday, September 15^th| Starting at 5:30 PM
Temple Shalom (8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase)

Tot Erev Rosh HaShanah (5:30 PM): For our families with young children, particularly infants through Kindergarten, but even those who are older will enjoy.

Bring Your Own Dinner (6:15 PM): For those who wish to join us for dinner, there will be a BYO dinner after the tot service from 6:15 PM-7:45 PM. Feel free to come whenever is convenient for you!

Erev Rosh HaShanah Service (8:00 PM): Everyone is welcome to join us for Erev Rosh HaShanah service! Limited child care is available for this service; the child care reservation deadline is September 8th.

Apples and Honeys

Saturday, September 16^th | 10:30 AM
Bender JCC (6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville)

Introduce the Jewish New Year to your little ones at a program that is designed just for them! Join early childhood music specialist Lisa Baydush for a 45-minute kid-friendly, outdoor music-filled Rosh Hashanah morning. After the music program, we encourage you and your family to stay for a service project to support families in Montgomery County and then stay for snacks and playground fun.

Rosh Hashanah Services with Young Families

Saturday, September 16^th | 10:30 AM
Sunday, September 17^th | 10:30 AM
Agudas Achim Congregation (2908 Valley Dr, Alexandria)

Join Morah Ariel for a Rhythm ‘N’ Ruach Family Service on both days of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. We’ll gather in the tent outdoors and move indoors only in case of inclement weather. We’ll sing, pray, and snack together, all while making new friends and celebrating a sweet new year! Best for children birth to age 5 with their caregiver. Older siblings welcome. Open to the entire community. YOU are welcome! Please join us!

Rosh Hashanah Family Service

Saturday, September 16^th | 2:00 PM
Bethesda Jewish Congregation (6601 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda)

All are welcome to join Bethesda Jewish Congregation for the High Holy Days.  If you are a family with young children, you can instead purchase tickets for the Family Services only at $36 per family. Tashlich with light lunch after services on Rosh Hashanah is included with ticket price, but you MUST RSVP here by September 12.

Little Bookworms (Reston) with Growing Jewish Families

Saturday, September 23^rd | 10:30 AM
Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston)

Calling all book lovers! — we invite you and your little one(s) to join us for High Holiday-themed story time! Each month you will learn about a Jewish holiday or value through books and have tons of fun.

Apples in the Campfire with Growing Jewish Families

Postponed to Saturday, October 22^nd | 6:00 PM
Lacey Woods Park (1200 N George Mason Dr, Arlington)

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Havdalah (the end of Shabbat) with Danielle at Lacey Woods Park! Bake some apples in the campfire (with toppings!), have campfire stories, play some games, and have a New Year good time! Bring chairs and/or a picnic blanket to sit on at the fire pit in Lacey Woods. Spots are limited, please RSVP as soon as possible.

Little Bookworms (Fairfax) with Growing Jewish Families

Sunday, September 24^th | 2:00 PM
City of Fairfax Regional Library (10360 North Street, Fairfax)

Calling all book lovers! — we invite you and your little one(s) to join us for High Holiday-themed story time! Each month you will learn about a Jewish holiday or value through books and have tons of fun.

I’m Sorry Day

Monday, September 25^th | 10-11:30 AM
Bender JCC (6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville)

Teaching your little ones to say “I’m sorry” is a great way to begin explaining the holiday of Yom Kippur. Join us (outside and in-person) 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.

Yom Kippur Services with Young Families

Monday, September 25^th | 10:30 AM
Agudas Achim Congregation (2908 Valley Dr, Alexandria)

ALL are WELCOME to join us for both days of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur at 10:30 am in the Young Families Tent at Agudas Achim in Alexandria. Morah Ariel will lead the joyful and meaningful service. Join us for singing, dancing, praying, snacking, and community. Best for children birth to age five with their caregiver; older siblings always welcome. We hope you’ll join us. L’Shana Tova!

Yom Kippur Family Service

Monday, September 25^th | 2:00 PM
Bethesda Jewish Congregation (6601 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda)

All are welcome to join Bethesda Jewish Congregation for the High Holy Days.  If you are a family with young children, you can instead purchase tickets for the Family Services only at $36 per family.

Past Events

Pre-Rosh Hashanah Pop-up in the Park with Hill Havurah

Saturday, September 9^th | 10:00-10:45 AM
Stanton Park (Southwest corner by 4^th Street NE and C Street NE)

Pick with PJ

Sunday, September 10^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.

Tashlich and Picnic Lunch with Agudas Achim

Sunday, September 10^th | 11:00 AM
Ben Brenman Park Congregation (4800 Brenman Park Dr, Alexandria)

Join Agudas Achim for tashlich to prepare for the Days of Awe. We’ll think about the ways in which we missed the mark this year and the ways we can try to do better next year. Stay and play on the playground after the event. Bring breadcrumbs and a picnic lunch.

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

Order by Wednesday, September 13^th
$18 per bag, or $75 for all five bags in the series

MD families sign up with the Bender JCCGW

VA families sign up with the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia

	Sukkot (“Feast of Booths”) Starts Friday, September 29th (sundown) and ends at nightfall, Friday, October 6th 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 Friday, October 6th (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 Saturday, October 7th (sundown), ending at nightfall on Sunday, October 8th 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.

Celebrate Sukkot, the Jewish Harvest Festival, with USDA and Partners!

Friday, September 29^th | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
USDA Farmers Market (14^th Street and Independence Ave SW), and the USDA People’s Garden (Mall side of Whitten Building by 12^th Street SW)

Learn about the Jewish holiday of Sukkot (festival of booths), hear from USDA leaders and partners about our commitments to the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, and receive a book about the holiday of Sukkot from PJ Library! After our event, there will be another sukkah dedication at the World Culture Festival on the National Mall – we hope you’ll join! Co-hosted by: Adamah, American Jewish Committee, ADL, Capital Jewish Museum, Jewish Farmer Network, Jewish Federations of North America, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Met Council, and PJ Library.

Note: the USDA sukkah will be open for the duration of the holiday.

Visit the Sukkah and Other Booths at the World Culture Festival

Friday, September 29^th – Saturday, September 30^th | Noon – 6:00 PM
Sunday, October 1^st| 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The National Mall

World Culture Festival is an unforgettable cultural extravaganza, featuring incredible voices, talent, and creativity from around the world. Join us in the Sukkah as we celebrate the joyous Jewish festival of Sukkot, embracing community, gratitude, & the spirit of togetherness.

Decorating the Hill Havurah Sukkah

Sunday, October 1^st | 5:00 PM
Rain date: Monday, October 2^nd at 5:30 PM
Hill Havurah (212 East Capitol Street NE)

Families with young children are invited to sing with Rabbi Hannah, create some sukkah decorations, schmooze with friends, and bless the lulav and etrog (agricultural symbols of the holiday). Then enjoy pizza and beverages with the whole Havurah community at 6:00 PM.

Sukkah Hop in Northern Virginia

October 1-5^th
Locations and times vary

Join Pozez JCC’s Growing Jewish Families and partners at Sukkahs across Northern Virginia, shake shake shake the Lulav and Etrog, and meet other families!

• Sunday, 10/1 @ 10 am, Sukkah Hop @ Beth Chaverim, Ashburn (Julie)
• Sunday, 10/1 @ 5 pm, Sukkah Hop @ Etz Hayim, Arlington (Melissa)
• Monday, 10/2 @ 4:30 pm, Sukkah Hop at the J, Fairfax (Tracy) (Snack and Story)
• Tuesday, 10/3 @ 4:30 pm, Sukkah Hop @ Beth Emeth, Herndon (Julie) (Snack and Story)
• Tuesday, 10/3 @ 5 pm, Sukkah Hop and Picnic at Agudas Achim, Alexandria (https://forms.gle/19WmsakpNxKBDjiS6)
• Tuesday, 10/3 @ 6pm, Sukkah Hop @ Chabad Arlington/Alexandria (Yehudis) (https://www.chabadalexandria.org/tools/events/register_cdo/eventid/15681)
• Thursday, 10/4 @ 2pm, Sukkah Hop @ Gesher, Fairfax (Tracy)
• Thursday, 10/5 @ 5:30am, Sukkah Hop @ Chabad Fairfax (Snack and Story)

Sukkot Picnic Dinner

Tuesday, October 3^rd | 5:00 PM
Agudas Achim Congregation (2908 Valley Dr, Alexandria)

Bring your own dairy or pareve picnic dinner for a picnic in the sukkah. Agudas Achim will provide dessert! We’ll do a craft, share a story, and then eat and enjoy each other’s company in Agudas’s newly-renovated sukkah.Best for children birth to age five with their caregiver; older siblings are always welcome.

JFamily Sukkah Happy Hour

Tuesday, October 3^rd | 5:30 PM
Edlavitch DCJCC (1529 16^th Street NW, DC)

Join us for a Sukkah Happy Hour for families of young children! We will have crafts, stories, snacks, and shmoozing, led by our JFamily team and our new Director of Jewish Life and Learning, Rabbi Atara Cohen. Geared toward families with children under 6, but all are welcome! Free to attend but registration is required.

Celebrate Sukkot with Jews of Color and Their Families

Wednesday, October 4^th | 6:30 PM
Edlavitch DCJCC (1529 16^th Street NW, DC)

Sukkot is a chance to reflect on the seasons, the nature of home, the bounty of the harvest time, and much more. Join our Jews of Color Affinity Group for dinner in the sukkah, crafts, mulled apple cider, s’mores, and the opportunity to create community with other Jews of Color and their families.

Sukkah Village: Pizza in the Hut

Friday, October 6^th | 6:30 PM
Bender JCC (6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville)

This year, Sukkah Village is a “Pizza in the Hut” celebration! Each family will get a Pizza Party Pack of dinner, dessert, and drinks. After our time in the Sukkah, we will move under the stars to enjoy a family-friendly movie on our outdoor movie screen.