Shalom Durham!

Rosh Hashanah Overview

What? Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning “Head [of] the Year,” is the Jewish New Year. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, literally “Day of Shouting or Blasting (of the Shofar).”
When? Rosh Hashanah takes place on the first and second days of the Jewish month of Tishrei. The first of Tishrei marks the beginning of the ten-day period known as the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah (the ten days of repentance), which is marked by acts and prayers focused on repentance and forgiveness, and culminates on Yom Kippur.

How? Rosh Hashanah is celebrated by blowing the shofar, special prayer services, and festive meals which include a series of symbolic foods (simanim).
Dates? This year, Rosh Hashanah begins on the night of Monday, 22 September and it concludes at sunset on Wednesday the 24th.
Most Jews will not be at school or at work on Tuesday the 23rd and Wednesday the 24th of September.

The Mission of Shalom Durham! is to:

Create safe and positive spaces for students, parents, staff and Durham community members who identify as Jews to express their identities, and to develop and grow to their full potential as they engage with the Durham District School Board community.

Provide educational and professional resources about Jews, Judaism and Jewish culture so as to engage with all members of the DDSB to foster allyship, create community partnerships, encourage professional opportunities, and enrich learning for all.

Sunday night, 8 October, 2023

Shalom Durham! condemns in no uncertain terms the terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas during the Festivals of Shemini Atzeret (The end of Sukkot) and Simchat Torah (The Celebration of the Torah).

We repeat the words of the Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada:

October, 8, 2023

Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the recent attacks against Israel:

“Early yesterday, on a Jewish holiday and 50 years after the start of the Yom Kippur War, the terrorist organization Hamas launched a massive, coordinated attack against Israel. Canada unequivocally condemns these terrible attacks in the strongest possible terms and reaffirms its support for Israel’s right to defend itself, in accordance with international law.

“The images we have seen are horrifying and shocking. As we fully realize the scale and brutality of this violence in the coming days, we extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected. Our hearts break for the hundreds of innocent people whose lives were senselessly taken.

“We call for the immediate release of those being held hostage and demand they be treated in accordance with international law. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and we are in touch with our international partners to restore peace and security in the region. We must all work to protect civilian life.

“To our Israeli friends, Canadians stand with you. The Government of Canada stands ready to support you – our support for the Israeli people is steadfast.”

We demand the immediate return of every hostage and we pray for an end to the hostilities and a return to peace.

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