What are the High Holidays?
Tishrei, the first month of the Jewish year is full of momentous and meaningful days of celebration. Beginning with the High Holidays, we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of Repentance, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah.
All of these days are opportunities to connect, to be inspired, and to become more fulfilled and in tune with our true inner selves. Tishrei is considered the “head” of the year, and the reservoir from which we draw our strength and inspiration throughout the year ahead.
If the year is a train, the High Holidays (AKA High Holy Days) are its engine. A delicate blend of joy and solemnity, feasting and fasting, prayer and inspiration make up the spiritually charged head of the Jewish year.
The High Holiday season begins during the month of Elul, when the shofar is sounded every weekday morning, a clarion call to return to G‑d in advance of the sacred days that lay ahead.
The two-day holiday of Rosh Hashanah is the head of the Jewish year, the time when G‑d reinvests Himself in creation as we crown Him king of the universe through prayer, shofar blasts, and celebration.
Rosh Hashanah 2026 begins at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1 (Sept. 11, 2026) and ends after nightfall on Tishrei 2 (Sept. 13, 2026). The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is blowing the shofar (ram’s horn) on both mornings of the holiday (except on Shabbat), which is normally done in synagogue as part of the day’s services.
A week later, the High Holidays reach their crescendo with Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). Like angels, we neither eat nor drink for 25 hours. Dressed in white, we pray in the synagogue—united as one people, children of One Father.
Yom Kippur 2026 begins before sundown on Sunday, Sept. 20, and ends after nightfall on Monday, Sept. 21.
But it does not end there. The other worldliness of the High Holidays is then channeled into the festive holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, which bring the annual fall holiday season to a most joyous conclusion.
Join us at Chabad Upper East Side for inspiring and uplifting services and holiday celebrations, filled with melodies, insights, inspiration and warmth.
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Upcoming Jewish Holiday Dates and General Information
For information for events happening at Chabad Upper East Side, visit each individual Holiday page for details. This is posted a few weeks before each holiday.
List of approved dates to hold a Jewish wedding
Listing of Jewish Holidays for 2026
Listing of Jewish Holidays for 2027
Special Dates on the Chabad Chassidic Calendar
