IV Jewish Community to celebrate holidays in person

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - On Sunday, September 25, Congregation Beth Jacob, the Jewish Community of the Imperial Valley, will begin their Rosh Hashanah celebrations.

This is the first time since 2019 that they will celebrate their most important holidays in person rather than online.

According to a press release, Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year, based on a calendar dating back thousands of years.

Although it is a joyous holiday, Rosh Hashanah is rather a time for prayer and personal reflection.

Yom Kippur

Following Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur.

For context, Yom Kippur is a day of atonement where Jews reflect on their errors and learn from them.

In addition, Jews spend their day of atonement by praying and fasting.

Not only that, Jews asks God for forgiveness, but they must ask the person they wronged for forgiveness first.

Sukkot

After Yom Kippur comes Sukkot, where Jews commemorate the journey from Egypt to the promised land.

Furthermore, it is tradition for Jews to construct a temporary tent-like structure called a sukkah outside their homes.

During Sukkot, which is a seven day holiday, people frequently eat and sleep in the sukkah.

Moreover, Sukkot is also a harvesting celebration, with fruit hanging in the sukkah for decoration.

Simchat Torah

The last of the fall holidays, also known as the "High Holidays" is Simchat Torah.

The Torah is the first of five books of the Holy Bible and a portion of it is read in the synagogue each Saturday.

Equally important, on Simchat Torah, Jews celebrate reading the last portion of the Torah and go back to the beginning.

Congregation Beth Jacob services

Student Rabbi Eden Glaser will lead the services at the synagogue at 530 Adams Avenue in El Centro.

The list of services and time are the following:

• Sunday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m. Rosh Hashanah service begins
• Monday, September 26 at 10:00 a.m. Rosh Hashanah service continues
• Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. Kol Nidre services
• Wednesday, October 5 at 10:00 a.m. Yom Kippur morning service
• Wednesday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m. Yom Kippur afternoon service

Anyone interested for more information can call:

• Cynthia and Wayne Harvie at 760-344-3436
• Susan Massey at 760-554-3300