Collection
A set of source sheets examining aspects of the Jewish holidays.
Sheets
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Exploring Kol NidreiA look at Kol Nidrei, including why the Ashkenazic and Sephardic versions are different.
Do You Agree With Kohelet?Selections from Kohelet to decide if you agree with, plus musical selections
What's a Lulav and Etrog?The basics and not-so-basics of lulav and etrog.
The History of Simchat TorahA history of the evolution of Simchat Torah, with context of each source, plus a look at Simchat Torah flags.
What is Sh’mini Atzeret?The basics and not-so-basics of Shemini Atzeret
David Schwartz•1376 Views•October 12, 2024•Sukkot,Rain,Water,Cantor Neil Schwartz,Sh'mini Atzeret,Geshem,Yizkor,Shmini Atzeret,Shemini Atzeret
Personally Connecting to HallelA look at Hallel with reflection questions and musical versions
David Schwartz•2715 Views•December 12, 2022•Sukkot,Prayer,Yom HaAtzmaut,Liturgy,Pesach,Debbie Friedman,Safam,Shavuot,Passover,Hallel,Chanukah
Why is Sukkot Called “Time of Our Joy”?This sheet looks at reasons why Sukkot is called “Z’man Simchateinu”, “Time of Our Joy”.
David Schwartz•8546 Views•September 17, 2020•Water Libations,Joy,Z’man Simchateinu,Water,Happiness,Sukkot
How to Change Your Fate: Views on “Ut’shuva, ut’fillah, utzedakah”Different people’s views on the “Uteshuvah, utefillah, utzedakah” line from Unetaneh Tokef, plus a few sources for the line.
How to Get Meaning from the ShofarA set of 18 different things that the shofar can make us think about
David Schwartz•669 Views•May 17, 2024•Sisera's Mother,Jewish Jokes,Gideon,Jericho,Midianites,Repentance (Teshuvah),Sisera,Ingathering of the Exiles,Akeida,Binding of Isaac,Joshua,Liberty,Death of Sarah,Conversos,Coronation,Shabbat Shuva,Amidah,Humility,Abraham and Hagar,Revelation,Jubilee,Psalm 27,Jewish Humor,The Birthday of the World,Rosh Hashanah,The Akeidah,Marranos,Shofar,Mt. Sinai,Anointing,Instruments,Yom Kippur,Music,Revelation of God's Glory,Beginning,High Holidays,Samael
Personally Connecting to Avinu MalkeinuBackground, questions, and music for Avinu Malkeinu
The Akeida: A 3-Act Story (and the Quran)Discussion questions at key points in the story
Doing the Work of SelichotA worksheet that can be used for Selichot programming or for personal pre-High Holiday reflection
David Schwartz•162 Views•September 7, 2025•Cheshbon Hanefesh,Self-Reflection,Rosh Hashanah,Selichot,High Holidays
What is Selichot?Background information about Selichot, along with videos of how to chant the basic prayers
David Schwartz•484 Views•August 28, 2025•Cantor Neil Schwartz,Prayers,Liturgy,High Holidays,Selichot
Mi She’ana: Finding Our AnswersAn examination of the stories, with discussion questions, in Mi She’ana, along with musical examples
Personally Connecting to AshamnuAn examination of the various aspects of how we do Ashamnu, plus musical examples
Comparing High Holiday and Shabbat ServicesComparing Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur services
Hashiveinu: From Tisha B’Av to Torah ServiceA basic overview of Tisha B'Av, with a focus on the Hashiveinu line at the end of Eicha. It also includes musical examples of Hashiveinu and Etz Chayim.
When is Shavuot?This sheet looks at how Shavuot’s date was determined and how it got connected to the giving of the Torah
The Origin of Chanukah CustomsAn explanation of the customs of Dreidels, gelt, presents, the story, latkes, sufganiyot, candles, and “Maoz Tzur”.
Editors
David Schwartz
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