Chagim Celebrations
Bringing the beauty and meaning of Jewish holidays to life
Living Our Heritage
At JDOHSS, Jewish holidays are celebrated with joy, meaning, and authentic Sephardic traditions. Through engaging programs, hands-on activities, and meaningful celebrations, students develop a deep connection to our Sephardic heritage and create lasting memories of Jewish life.
High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah
Apple and honey celebrations, shofar demonstrations, and age-appropriate discussions about teshuva and new beginnings
Yom Kippur
Learning about forgiveness, charity drives, and meaningful reflection activities
Sukkot
Building and decorating our school sukkah, learning about the Four Species, celebrating with special programs
Winter Holidays
Chanukah
Daily menorah lighting, Sephardic songs and pizmonim, latkes and sufganiyot, learning about the miracle
Tu B'Shevat
Celebrating the New Year for Trees with fruit tastings, planting activities, and environmental awareness
Purim
Megillah reading, costume parades, hamentaschen baking, mishloach manot exchanges, and joyous celebrations
Spring Holidays
Pesach
Model seders with students, matzah baking, exploring the Exodus story, learning Sephardic Pesach customs
Yom HaShoah
Age-appropriate Holocaust remembrance programs honoring memory and teaching resilience
Yom Ha'atzmaut
Celebrating Israel's independence with Israeli music, dance, food, and cultural activities
Late Spring & Summer
Lag B'Omer
Outdoor celebrations, bonfires (when possible), archery, and learning about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
Shavuot
All-night learning programs, dairy meals, learning about receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai
Shabbat
Weekly Shabbat celebrations with challah baking, grape juice kiddush, songs, and special programs
Our Traditions
Our chagim celebrations proudly incorporate authentic Sephardic customs, songs, and traditions passed down through generations.
From special Sephardic pizmonim and bakkashot to unique holiday foods and customs, students experience the rich tapestry of Sephardic heritage.