Acknowledging holidays/celebrations in October

In October, we acknowledge Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Diwali. Below, read more about each holiday/celebration written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

October 2: Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration of the Jewish New Year, beginning on October 2, 2024 (at sunset). It is considered one of the holiest days in Judaism, as it is the first of the High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated through candle lighting, festive meals, prayers, shofar-blowing, and more. Grandview Kids wishes all individuals celebrating Shanah tovah (good year).

October 11: Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It marks the end of the Ten Days of Repentance, a period of reflection and reconciliation. The day is observed through fasting and prayer as individuals seek forgiveness for their sins from God and others. Many people spend the day in synagogue, praying for repentance and spiritual renewal. The fast concludes with the blowing of the shofar, a ram’s horn, marking the end of the holiday.

October 16-23: Sukkot

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a week-long Jewish festival that begins five days after Yom Kippur. It commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the desert after their exodus from Egypt, during which they lived in temporary shelters called sukkahs. Today, some celebrate this holiday by building and dwelling in these sukkahs, symbolizing the fragility of life and God’s protection. The festival also celebrates the harvest, with rituals involving the lulav and etrog, a bundle of branches and a citron fruit, which are waved in gratitude for the earth’s bounty.

October 24: Shemini Atzeret

Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday celebrated on October 24, 2024, marking the end of the seven-day festival of Sukkot. This holiday is riddled with joy and celebrated through candle lighting, prayers, yizkor, festive meals and hakafot. It is a time of great reflection as it marks the end of the High Holy Days. We wish everyone celebrating Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday)!

October 31: Diwali

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a festival of lights celebrated by many people all around the world. Based on the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali will be celebrated on October 31 this year. Diwali is a joyous occasion when we come together to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is observed differently by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, creating diverse traditions.