Jewish Festivals with Har Zion
Temple Har Zion’s observance of Jewish festivals offers a window into the richness and diversity of our religious heritage.
Through festive rituals and celebrations, we connect with our past and chart our future course. These observances also provide us with an opportunity to strengthen our bonds with one another and support our community.
Our holidays and busy Jewish calendar mark the rhythm of our year at Temple Har Zion. The community is invited to share congregation wide celebrations of every holiday while enriching their home and family experiences with new traditions.
Hanukkah
We enjoy concerts and communal meals with our families, as we sing Hanukkah songs and light candles together. We often schedule congregation wide events, such as fundraisers and galas, during the holiday.
Purim
On Purim, we decorate our Gottlieb social hall as ancient Persia! Young and old wear costumes and sound groggers to drown out Haman’s name as we listen to the full Megillah reading. We share jokes and have presentations by our members that enhance the celebrations. We eat hamantaschen and exchange bags of Mishloach Manot (holiday gifts). Every year, many young visitors and their families from across the Western suburbs join our Purim carnival with games, prizes, and the Shushan Café.
To enjoy a recording of our 2022 megillah reading, click here.
Passover
The Exodus of the Jews from Egypt is celebrated with the eight-day festival of Passover. Ridding the home of chametz (leavened food) and eating only unleavened items commemorates the haste in which the former slaves fled Egypt, leaving them too little time for their bread to rise. Jews retell the story of Exodus during a Passover seder.
For information on Passover 5786/2026, which is April 1-9, click here.
Yom Ha’atzmaut
On Israeli Independence Day, we celebrate our connection to Israel with a service, an Israeli dinner, singing and speakers to remind us of the miracle of Israel’s independence.
Shavuot
On Shavuot night, we gather with our friends from Oak Park Temple for an evening of study, prayer and receiving the Torah anew. We serve ice cream, cheesecake and meet old and new friends.