Festivals & Holidays

We join together throughout the year to celebrate Jewish holidays and festivals. Our holiday celebrations are engaging for all ages, are informal, and are filled with joyful singing.

Sukkot

Each year our own Sukkah Builders join together a few days prior to the holiday to build the Bolton Street Synagogue sukkah and children decorate it. We gather in the sukkah during the week to shake the lulav and eat our meals.

Simchat Torah

We gather as a large intergenerational community to celebrate the Torah. With help from our teens and adults, we unroll our Torah scroll around the Social Hall or, in good weather, outside in the sunshine. Everyone gets to view the Torah scroll close-up while our lay-led band, Shir Chadash, leads us in singing and dancing.

Hanukkah

One of the highlights of the year! On the Shabbat of Hanukkah, our congregation celebrates with a potluck Hanukkah dinner. There is always a community menorah lighting and a latke contest. The Social Hall fills with light and delicious smells.

Tu Beshvat

We gather to celebrate our connection to the environment and to the Land of Israel. Our Tu Beshvat seder allows for deep spiritual growth and the opportunity to taste nuts and fruits of the Holy Land.

Purim

As winter ends, we take time to let down our hair and celebrate! Our children get into costume and celebrate through our Bolton Street Synagogue Annual Purim Carnival. The Purim Players lead us in an annual Purim spiel followed by food and, for adults, delicious drinks.

Passover

Our Community Second Night Seder brings out people of all ages. More than 100 people typically gather to celebrate the Passover story, eat a beautiful meal, and read from the Haggadah.

Shavuot

Each year, we celebrate the giving of the Torah by taking time to study together. Whether it’s eating a slice of cheesecake, studying throughout the night, or hearing each other’s stories, we take a moment to mark the importance of Jewish learning in our lives today.

Yizkor

On Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot, our congregation gathers to remember our loved ones. These short services allow us to gather in community as we mourn family and friends and reflect upon their continued impact on our lives.
Book of Remembrance – Online Form Due October 1st