jewish highlights for the month of elul

Rosh Hashanah, the first two days of Tishrei, marks the beginning of the Jewish year and the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Chavah. It is a time of judgment, remembrance and the coronation of Hashem as King, when we reflect on the year that has passed and pray for a year of life, blessing and peace. The central mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah is hearing the shofar, whose powerful sound awakens us to teshuvah and reminds us of Hashem’s kingship. In 2026, Rosh Hashanah *begins at sunset on Friday, 11 September, and continues tough nightfall on Sunday, 13 September 2026; the first day, 1 Tishrei, falls on Shabbat, so the shofar is sounded on the second day, Sunday, 13 September.

Tzom Gedaliah, observed on 3 Tishrei, is a fast day commemorating the assassination of Gedaliah ben Achikam, the Jewish governor appointed in the Land of Israel following the destruction of the First Beit Hamikdash. His murder brought an end to the small Jewish community that remained in the land after the Babylonian conquest, and the survivors eventually fled to Egypt. The fast is observed during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, making it a particularly significant time to reflect on the devastating consequences of baseless hatred, violence and internal division, and on the importance of unity among the Jewish people. In 2026, Tzom Gedaliah falls on Monday, 14 September (3 Tishrei 5787) and the fast is observed from dawn until nightfall.

The Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, the Ten Days of Repentance, are the sacred days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, beginning with 1 Tishrei and concluding on 10 Tishrei. They are a time of heightened spiritual awareness, when we are encouraged to reflect on our actions, seek forgiveness from Hashem and from those we may have wronged, and make sincere resolutions for the year ahead. These days remind us that teshuvah—returning to Hashem—is always possible, and that even small changes can bring us closer to living a more meaningful and purposeful life. The Ten Days culminate in the holiness of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when we devote ourselves entirely to prayer, repentance and reconciliation. In 2026, the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah begin on Rosh Hashanah, Friday evening, 11 September, and continue until nightfall on Monday, 21 September, when Yom Kippur concludes. 

Shabbat Shuvah, meaning “Shabbat of Return,” is the Shabbat that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah—the Ten Days of Repentance. It is a particularly significant time for reflection and teshuvah, giving us the opportunity to look honestly at the year that has passed, recognise where we have fallen short, and strengthen our commitment to return to Hashem. The name comes from the opening words of the Haftarah from Hosea: “Shuvah Yisrael ad Hashem Elokecha — Return, O Israel, to Hashem your G-d.” The Shabbat is also traditionally marked by a special address from the rabbi, encouraging the community to use these precious days for repentance, reconciliation and spiritual renewal. In 2026, Shabbat Shuvah begins at sunset on Friday, 18 September and continues through Saturday, 19 September (8 Tishrei 5787), with Parashat Ha’azinu read in shul. 

Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, is a day devoted entirely to teshuvah, prayer and seeking forgiveness from Hashem and from those whom we may have wronged. Known as the Day of Atonement, it is a time when we step away from our everyday concerns and focus on our relationship with Hashem, reflecting on our actions and asking for forgiveness and a fresh beginning. The day is observed with a complete fast and extensive prayer, including the solemn Kol Nidrei service at its beginning and Neilah, the final prayer, as Yom Kippur draws to a close. The day culminates with the sounding of the shofar, marking the end of the fast and bringing a sense of hope, renewal and spiritual closeness. In 2026, Yom Kippur begins before sunset on Sunday, 20 September (9 Tishrei 5787), and concludes after nightfall on Monday, 21 September (10 Tishrei 5787).  

Sukkot, known as Zman Simchateinu — the Time of Our Rejoicing, is a joyful seven-day festival that commemorates the miraculous protection Hashem provided for Bnei Yisrael during their forty years in the wilderness. We celebrate by leaving the security of our permanent homes and dwelling in a sukkah, reminding us that our true protection and security come from Hashem. We also fulfil the mitzvah of taking the Four Kinds — the lulav, etrog, hadassim and aravot — and spend the festival with family, guests and the special spirit of hospitality known as ushpizin. Sukkot follows only five days after Yom Kippur, transforming the solemnity of the Days of Awe into a celebration of faith, gratitude and joy. In 2026, Sukkot begins at sunset on Friday, 25 September (14 Tishrei 5787), with the first day on Shabbat, 26 September (15 Tishrei). In the Diaspora, the first two days are Yom Tov, through nightfall on Sunday, 27 September, followed by Chol Hamoed, with the seventh day, Hoshana Rabbah, on Friday, 2 October (21 Tishrei 

Hoshana Rabbah, the seventh and final day of Sukkot, is a day of special holiness and prayer. The name means “the great Hoshana,” referring to the many Hoshanot prayers recited while circling the bimah with the lulav and etrog. On this day, seven circuits are made, more than on the preceding days of Sukkot, and the traditional practice of taking and striking the aravot (willow branches) adds a distinctive element to the service. Hoshana Rabbah is also regarded as the culmination of the period of judgment that began on Rosh Hashanah, making it a final opportunity for teshuvah and prayer before the spiritual focus of Tishrei turns toward Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. In 2026, Hoshana Rabbah falls on Friday, 2 October (21 Tishrei 5787), beginning at sunset on Thursday, 1 October and continuing until nightfall on Friday.  

Shemini Atzeret, meaning the “Eighth Day of Assembly,” follows immediately after the seven days of Sukkot. Although it is a separate festival, it is closely connected to Sukkot and is a day when Hashem asks us to remain with Him for one more day, as expressed by the Midrash through the beautiful image of a king who invites his children to stay a little longer. In the Diaspora, Shemini Atzeret is a distinct Yom Tov, and it is marked by special prayers including Yizkor and the beginning of the prayer for rain, Tefillat HaGeshem. In 2026, Shemini Atzeret begins at sunset on Friday, 2 October and is observed on Shabbat, 3 October (22 Tishrei 5787), continuing until nightfall on Saturday, 3 October. In the Diaspora, Simchat Torah is celebrated as a separate day, on Sunday, 4 October (23 Tishrei). In Israel, however, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are combined into one day and are both celebrated on 22 Tishrei, which falls on Shabbat, 3 October 2026.

Simchat Torah, meaning “Rejoicing with the Torah,” is one of the most joyous days of the Jewish year. It marks the completion of the annual cycle of reading the Torah and the immediate beginning of a new cycle, demonstrating that the Torah is never something we simply finish, but something we continually return to and discover anew. The day is celebrated with great joy, dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls, and with the special hakafot, when the Torahs are carried around the synagogue. The final portion of the Torah, V'Zot HaBerachah, is read, followed immediately by the opening verses of Bereishit, symbolising the eternal and unbroken connection between the Jewish people and the Torah. In 2026, in the Diaspora, Simchat Torah is celebrated on Sunday, 4 October (23 Tishrei 5787), beginning at sunset on Saturday, 3 October and concluding at nightfall on Sunday. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are combined into a single day and are celebrated on Shabbat, 3 October (22 Tishrei).