2002 Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays

* 1/4: Day ethnic discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1969); day to mourn all manifestations of racism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: signed/adopted 3/7/1966; entered into force 1/4/1969.][Text of Convention] [For more information, see Anti Racism Information Service website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 1/12: Day genocide was outlawed world-wide (1951); day to mourn all victims of genocide. [Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: signed/adopted 12/9/1948; entered into force 1/12/1951.][Text of Convention] [For more information, see Prevent Genocide International website.]

* 1/13 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [For discussion of the Shekhinah as the feminine Divine Presence honored at Rosh Chodesh, see Wikipedia article on Shekhinah and "Women and Rosh Chodesh" by My Jewish Learning.] ["Elohim" is a masculine plural of a feminine Hebrew word that refers to a singular Deity whose unity incorporates both masculine and feminine elements. See Wikipedia article on Elohim. Kabbalists believe that estrangement between the Divine masculine and feminine elements has resulted in violence, injustice, and environmental destruction, but human action can bring about reparation and reunification. See "The History of 'Tikkun Olam'" by Jill Jacobs. While Kabbalists, Jewish feminists, the Jewish Renewal Movement, and many Reconstructionist and Reform Jews perceive Elohim as gender-inclusive, other Jews do not. Some Jews of all denominations perceive Elohim as genderless, but most Orthodox and Conservative Jews perceive Elohim as exclusively male. See "The Divine Feminine in Kabbalah: An Example of Jewish Renewal" by My Jewish Learning.] [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Sh'vat, Rosh Chodesh Shivat, Rosh Chodesh Shivath, Rosh Chodesh Shevat, beginning of the Jewish month of Shevat]

* 1/20: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 1/27 eve to 1/28 eve: Tu B'Shevat--Jewish Festival of Trees, celebrated with tree plantings and orchard blessings. [In ancient times, the Hebrew people and priesthood honored Asherah in groves of trees as well as in the first Temple (for two-thirds of the time the Temple existed). She was considered to be the consort of the Hebrew God YHVH. See 1 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 17:10; 2 Kings 21:7; 2 Kings 23:6; Jeremiah 17:2. See also Wikipedia article on Asherah and "The Hebrew Goddess" by Raphael Patai.] [In modern times, Tu B'Shevat has been treated as Jewish Earth Day. For articles on environmentalism in Judaism, see "The Modern Environmental Movement: Jewish Perspectives" by Preston Hunter, "Jewish Environmental Perspectives" by the Institute for Global Jewish Affairs, "Judaism and the Environment 101" by Hazon, and "Ten Jewish Teachings on Judaism and Environmentalism". See also Coalition on Environmentalism and Jewish Life website. COEJL is an organization dedicated to promoting environmental healing.] [a/k/a Tu B'Sh'vat, Tu B'Shivat, Tu B'Shivath, Tu Bi Shevat]

* 2/11 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Adar, beginning of the Jewish month of Adar]

* 2/24 eve to 2/26 eve: Jewish fast of Esther and fest of Purim--Recalls a planned massacre of Persian Jews and their deliverance by Queen Esther; time for helping those in need. [Fast of Esther a/k/a Ta'anis Esther, Ta'anit Esther, Feast of Lots]

* 3/1: Day the production and use of landmines was outlawed world-wide (1999); day to mourn their victims. [Protocol on Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices a/k/a Convention on Landmines a/k/a Mine Ban Treaty, amending the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects: Treaty signed/adopted 10/10/1980; entered into force 12/2/1983; Protocol signed 12/3/1997; entered into force 3/1/1999.] [The U.S. and Israel have not ratified the Protocol.] [There are between 60 and 70 million landmines in the ground of 70+ countries. Landmines maim or kill approximately 26,000 civilians each year, including 8,000 to 10,000 children. In the name of Elohim, and for love of Elohim, Jews should renounce the production and use of landmines, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing landmines.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see International Campaign to Ban Landmines website; Adopt a Minefield website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 3/12: Day Pope John Paul II, in the name of the Catholic Church, asked Deity's forgiveness and apologized: to Christians of other denominations for intolerance to them, to Jews for anti-Semitism, to peoples of all non-Christian religions for intolerance and contempt for their religious traditions, to women for their humiliation and marginalization, and to the poor and the powerless for indifference to them (2000). [On the first Sunday in Lent in the Jubilee Year, as a part of the liturgy of the Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II made this public confession with the aid of seven cardinals and bishops. See Transcript of Confession and Request for Forgiveness.]

* 3/13 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Nisan, beginning of the Jewish month of Nisan]

* 3/16: Day Pope John Paul II expressed remorse for the failure of Christians to prevent the murder of six million Jews during World War II (1998). [This was expressed in "We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah".] [Pope Pius XII, who became Pope in 1939, was silent about the Nazi persecution of Jews, other than a 1942 Christmas message that acknowledged that "hundreds of thousands of persons...because of nationality or race, have been consigned to death".] [Pope John Paul II also expressed sorrow for the suffering of Jews at the hands of Christians in a note left at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on 3/26/2000. However, Pope John Paul II planned to beatify Pope Pius XII, until protests dissuaded him. And, in spite of protests, he beatified anti-Semitic Pope Pius IX on 9/3/2000.] [For commentary on the controversy, see articles by America magazine and CNN.]

* 3/18: Day the first bat mitzvah occurred - in Reconstructionist Judaism (1922). [In order to mark her religious coming-of-age, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan had his daughter, Judith Kaplan, read the Torah and recite the blessings before the congregation. He wanted to recognize the equality of Jewish girls to boys, to recognize girls' obligation to fulfill the commandments, and to encourage girls to study the Torah. Bat mitzvahs are now universally done in Reconstructionist Judaism, Reform Judaism, and Conservative Judaism. Some congregations of Orthodox Judaism also conduct them.]

* 3/26: Day production and use of biological weapons was outlawed world-wide (1975); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction a/k/a Biological Weapons Convention: signed 4/10/1972; entered into force 3/26/1975.] [Israel is believed to currently have a biological weapons research program in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Israel has not ratified the Treaty.] [In the name of Elohim, and for love of Elohim, Jews should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of biological weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention website; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 3/27 eve to 4/4 eve: Passover/Pesach--Jewish festival recalling their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and celebrating freedom from oppression. [Observed with dietary restrictions, the Seder meal (representing their hardships), and recitation of the Haggadah (relating the Exodus).] [See "Judaism and Human Rights" by Rabbi David Rosen and Declaration on Judaism and Human Rights. But see Human Rights Watch report: Israel.] [a/k/a Pesah, Feast of Unleavened Bread]

* 4/1: Day that same-sex marriage was first legally recognized (2001). [Same-sex marriage has been legalized in the Netherlands (2001). Many countries recognize same-sex civil unions or domestic partnerships (e.g., Denmark (1989), Norway (1993), Sweden (1995), Hungary (1996), Iceland (1996), France (1999), Germany (2001), Portugal (2001), and Finland (2002)). In the U.S., Hawaii (1997), California (1999), Vermont (2000), and D.C. (2002), have legalized same-sex civil unions or adopted same-sex domestic partnership laws. However, some U.S. states have constitutional amendments, statutes, or judicial decisions banning same-sex marriage. A federal statute (Defense of Marriage Act -- 1996) bans same-sex marriage under federal law and allows states to not recognize same-sex marriages contracted elsewhere.] [For more information, see the Wikipedia website.] [Congregations of Reconstructionist Judaism and Reform Judaism perform same-sex marriage ceremonies. Some congregations of Conservative Judaism also perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.]

* 4/7: World Health Day--Day to pray for healing of all those chronically and seriously ill; day to advocate for adequate health care for all. [Day the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) was founded in 1948.] [For information on World Health Day, see World Health Organization website; UN Dag Hammarskjold Library website.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.]

* 4/9: Holocaust Remembrance Day--Day to mourn Jewish victims of genocide and anti- Semitism, make peace, and celebrate empowerment of Jewish Americans. [See BBC Analysis: "Genocide Under the Nazis".] [a/k/a Yom Hashoa]

* 4/11 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Iyyar, beginning of the Jewish month of Iyyar]

* 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day] [For information about Earth Day activities, see Earthday Network website; Envirolink website; U.S. government website for Earth Day; U.S. E.P.A. website for Earth Day.]

* 4/22: Day the world's nations guaranteed asylum to those persecuted in their homelands on account of their ethnicity, religion, or political opinion (1954). [Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees: signed 7/28/1951; entered into force 4/22/1954.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 4/29: Day production and use of chemical weapons was outlawed world-wide (1997); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons a/k/a Chemical Weapons Convention: signed 1/13/1993; entered into force 4/29/1997.] [Israel is believed to currently possess chemical weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Israel has not ratified the Treaty.] [In the name of Elohim, and for love of Elohim, Jews should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of chemical weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons webpage; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Chemical Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 5/2: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state throughout the world. [Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. For text and information on the First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website; First Amendment Online website and 1st Amendment.com website. For domestic organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website and American Civil Liberty Union website. For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report; Human Rights Watch website; and Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief website.]

* 5/11 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Sivan, beginning of the Jewish month of Sivan]

* 5/12: Remembrance day for Moses de Leon (1240-1305), Kabbalistic mystic. He compiled the Zohar, a Kabbalistic commentary on the Torah. [Kabbalists conceive of the boundless, formless, and genderless Deity as Ein Soph, whose emanations constitute the Tree of Life (11 Divine Sephiroth). Kabbalists recognize Elohim, the primary name of Deity in the Torah, to be the first unfolding of Ein Soph at the beginning of creation. Another name for Elohim in the Torah is the unutterable YHVH, made up of the four Hebrew letters Yod-Heh-Vau-Heh. These letters signify to Kabbalists four elements of the singular Deity: Father, Mother, Son & Daughter. They are referred to as the Tetragrammatan.] [See article on Moses de Leon. See also "The Zohar" a/k/a "Sefer ha-Zohar (Book of Splendor, Radiance, Enlightenment)" by Moses de Leon.] [a/k/a Moses ben Shem Tov de Leon and Moshe ben Shem-Tov] [Birthday & death day unknown]

* 5/12: Day the first woman was ordained a rabbi in Conservative Judaism (1985). [Rabbi Amy Eilberg] [Conservative Judaism now fully embraces the ordination of women and has abolished most gender distinctions that limit women from full participation in Jewish ritual. See Wikipedia article on Women in Judaism. See also United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism website.]

* 5/16 eve to 5/18 eve: Shavuot/Feast of First Fruits--Jewish festival of thanksgiving for the first fruits of the grain harvest. Originally, loaves of bread were offered to Elohim. Also commemorates Moses' receipt of the Ten Commandments. [Moses identified Nehushtan with the Lord. Nehushtan was worshipped with Asherah. The serpents and trees that symbolized Nehushtan and Asherah were destroyed by King Hezekiah in 7th C BCE. See Numbers 21:5-9; 2 Kings 18:4.] [See also Wikipedia article on Nehushtan.] [a/k/a Shavuoth, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Harvest, Hebrew Pentecost]

* 5/19: Day the first woman was ordained a rabbi in Reconstructionist Judaism (1974). [Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso] [Reconstructionist Judaism fully embraces the ordination of women and rejects gender distinctions that limit women from full participation in Jewish ritual. It also has developed gender-inclusive prayer books. See Wikipedia article on Women in Judaism and "American Jewish Feminism: The Movement Matures" by My Jewish Learning. See also Jewish Reconstructionist Federation website.]

* 6/3: Day the first woman was ordained a rabbi in Reform Judaism (1972). [Rabbi Sally Priesand] [Reform Judaism now fully embraces the ordination of women and has abolished all gender distinctions that limit women from full participation in Jewish ritual. It also has developed gender-inclusive prayer books. See Wikipedia article on Women in Judaism and "American Jewish Feminism: The Movement Matures" by My Jewish Learning. See also Union for Reform Judaism website.]

* 6/9 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Tamuz, beginning of the Jewish month of Tamuz]

* 6/11: Birthday of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan (1881), founder of Reconstructionist Judaism. He perceived Deity to be a genderless Cosmic Force of Nature, and promoted a Judaism that recognizes gender equality and rejects violence and social injustice. [See article on Mordecai Kaplan.] [Rabbi Kaplan wrote "The Meaning of God in Modern Jewish Religion" and "Judaism as a Civilization".] [Death day 11/8/1983] [Reconstructionist Judaism split from Conservative Judaism. It values personal autonomy and democratic decision-making as well as religious law and tradition. It embraces science and diverse views of Deity. It exhorts Jews to work for progressive ethical and social evolution in Judaism and society. See "Who is a Reconstructionist Jew?" by the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation.]

* 7/1: Day the world's nations committed to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons (1968); vigil to protest the production and use of all nuclear weapons world-wide. [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: signed 7/1/1968; entered into force 3/5/1970.] [Israel has developed nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Israel has not ratified the Treaty.] [In the name of Elohim, and for love of Elohim, Jews should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of nuclear weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) website. For information on Israel's nukes, see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) nuke guide ] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 7/1: Day endangered species became internationally protected (1975); day to celebrate all the world's creatures. [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: signed/adopted 3/3/1973; entered into force 7/1/1975.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Environmental Programme CITES website; World Wildlife Fund website; EarthJustice website.]

* 7/9 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Av, beginning of the Jewish month of Av]

* 7/17 eve to 7/18 eve: Tish'a B'Av--Jewish fast day mourning the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem dedicated to Elohim. [The Talmud asserts that the Lord Adonai (the Holy One, Blessed be He), and the Shekhinah (Elohim's feminine manifestation) resided in the first Temple. Kabbalists believe Adonai and the Shekhinah became estranged with the destruction of the Temple. They would recite prayers and perform holy acts to reunite Them. See "The Hebrew Goddess" by Raphael Patai. The Talmud asserts that the Shekhinah is present whenever ten gather in prayer, whenever three sit as judges, and whenever She is needed. See Talmud Sanhedrin 39a, Talmud Berachot 6a, Talmud Shabbat 12b.] [a/k/a Tishah B'Av, Fast of the 9th Day of Av]

* 8/5: Death day of Rabbi Isaac Luria (1572), Kabbalistic mystic. He taught of the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Ein Soph, the unknowable infinite being that created the universe. Because the Shekhinah has become separated from Ein Soph, there is chaos and injustice in the world. But the Shekhinah will restore cosmic order with reunification of the Godhead. [See articles on Isaac Luria and Lurianic Kabbalah. See also "Window of the Soul: The Kabbalah of Rabbi Isaac Luria," Translated by James David Dunn.] [Born 1534: exact date unknown]

* 8/7 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Elul, beginning of the Jewish month of Elul]

* 8/7 eve to 9/6 eve: Elul--Jewish month of self-reflection, peace-making, and renewal. [Jews ask for, and grant, forgiveness for harm done.] [For an article on peace in Judaism, see "Judaism and Peace" by Rabbi David Rosen. For Jewish texts on peace, see "Judaism on Peace" by GroupDialogue.org. See also the Jewish Peace Fellowship website. JPF is an organization dedicated to promoting nonviolence, peace, and justice.] [Jews also visit cemeteries and remember their ancestors.]

* 8/17: Birthday of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (1924), founder of the Jewish Renewal Movement. [Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi broke with the Lubavitcher Hasidic sect of Ultra- Orthodox Judaism to found the Jewish Renewal Movement in 1969. The Jewish Renewal Movement seeks to fully embrace modernism, egalitarianism, environmentalism, pacifism, and deep ecumenism. It incorporates Kabbalistic and Hasidic theology and practices, traditional prayer, meditation, chant, and ecstatic dance. Both personal spiritual practice and social action are emphasized. See Wikipedia article on Jewish Renewal and ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal website.]

* 8/28: Opening of the Second World Parliament of Religions (1993), attended by members of all the world's religions. A Global Ethic was adopted that condemns hatred, aggression, oppression, and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion. [Text of Global Ethic] [See also website for the Parliament of the World's Religions.]

* 9/3: Day gender discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1981); day to mourn all manifestations of sexism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: adopted by U.N. General Assembly 12/18/1979; signed 3/1/1980; entered into force 9/3/1981.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see WomenWatch: United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women website; Feminist Majority Foundation website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 9/6 eve to 9/8 eve: Rosh Hashanah/Jewish New Year (Year 5763)--Commemorates creation of the World by Elohim, the one universal Deity; begins ten days of self-examination and penitence for harm done. [This signifies day five of Creation, when humans were created. On Rosh Hashanah, everyone is judged by Elohim based on his or her actions during the previous year. The resulting judgment is inscribed, and everyone's future is determined for the following year. Though that judgment is inscribed, it is not yet sealed and can still be changed until Yom Kippur, when the book is sealed for the year. Regret for past misdeeds, commitment to future good deeds, prayer, and charity can change a bad decree. The shofar is blown to mark the new year and the beginning of the ten days of penitence, Aseret Yemei Teshuva.] ["Elohim" is a masculine plural of a feminine Hebrew word that refers to a singular complex Deity. It does not signify a plurality of Gods and Goddesses.] [a/k/a Rosh Hashana, Rosh HaShanah]

* 9/13: Day Israelis and Palestinians committed to peaceful coexistence (1993); vigil for true peace, justice, religious tolerance, and equal rights for all in the Middle East. [Declaration of Principles was signed by Israel & the P.L.O. on 9/13/1993.] [The History of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict]

* 9/15 eve to 9/16 eve: Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement--Jewish day of fasting, prayer, reconciliation, making reparation for harm done, and helping those in need. [The shofar is blown to mark the end of the ten days of penitence, Aseret Yemei Teshuva.]

* 9/20 eve to 9/27 eve: Sukkot/Feast of Ingathering--Jewish thanksgiving for the fruit harvest. Originally, a dance procession was made to vineyards and wine was offered to Elohim. Also commemorates the years in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. [Temporary dwellings are built, in which Jews eat, sleep, and pray during the festival, to remind them of the Shekhinah, the Divine Presence, who protected them in the wilderness. Prayers for world peace are made.] [a/k/a Sukkoth, Feast of Tabernacles]

* 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [a/k/a U.N. International Day of Peace] [For more information on the International Day of Peace, see International Day of Peace website and International Day of Peace Vigil website.]

* 10/27 eve to 10/28 eve: Shemini Atseret/Feast of Assembly--Jewish festival of praise and thanksgiving for life-giving rain. [a/k/a Shemini Atsereth, Shemini Atzeret]

* 9/28 eve to 9/29 eve: Simchat Torah/Rejoicing with the Torah--Jewish festival celebrating the Torah. [It marks the end of the annual cycle of congregational Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. The ark is opened, and Torah scrolls are carried around the synagogue seven times, accompanied by singing and dancing.] [a/k/a Simhat Torah, Simhath Torah]

* 10/5 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, beginning of the Jewish month of Cheshvan]

* 10/18: Day the Clean Water Act was enacted (1972); day to give thanks for the water we drink. [Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 896, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.][Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 11/1: World Community Day--Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people - all children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 11/4 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Kislev, beginning of the Jewish month of Kislev]

* 11/9 eve: Krystallnacht--Night of the Nazi attacks on Jewish homes, synagogues, and shops in Germany, beginning the persecution that would end with the deaths of 6 million Jews (1938); night for meditating on the evil of all religion-based hatred.

* 11/21: Fast for an Abundant World Harvest--Day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide. [a/k/a Fast for a World Harvest] [For more information, see the Oxfam America website.]

* 11/28: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.

* 11/29 eve to 12/7 eve: Hanukkah/Festival of Lights--Jewish festival commemorating a victory in their struggle for religious freedom and rededication of the second Temple of Jerusalem to Elohim. Menorah candles are lit. [Though there was only enough oil for one day at the rededication, it miraculously burned for eight days.] [For articles on freedom of religion and Judaism, see "Religious Freedom as a Basic Human Right: The Jewish Perspective" by Asher Maoz and "Freedom of Religion in Israel" by Prof. Shimon Shetreet.] [a/k/a Chanukah, Channukah]

* 12/4 eve: Rosh Chodesh--Jewish women gather to worship the Shekhinah, the feminine manifestation of Elohim, the one universal Deity; and to pray and act for peace, social justice, and environmental healing to bring about Tikkun Olam (reparation of the world and reunification of the Divine). [a/k/a Rosh Chodesh Tevet, beginning of the Jewish month of Tevet]

* 12/10: Day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, and fundamental rights were recognized world-wide (1948). [The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.D.H.R.) in Resolution 217 A(III). See Text of Declaration. For more information on the history of the U.D.H.R., see Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute website. The U.D.H.R. is generally recognized as binding customary international law. In 1966, the concepts of the U.D.H.R. were expanded and drafted into two binding international treaties with enforcement mechanisms. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Human Rights Committee (see Human Rights Committee website; University of Minnesota Human Rights Library website) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (see Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website). The Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights(see Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights website).] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day]

* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [Text of Bill of Rights] [For more information about the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, see U.S. National Archives & Records Administration website and the Bill of Rights Institute website. For information on organizations that advocate for enforcement of rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights, see Center for Constitutional Rights website; American Civil Liberties Union website.] [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day]

* 12/17: Day the Clean Air Act was enacted (1963); day to give thanks for the air we breathe. [Pub. L. 88-206, 77 Stat. 392, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 12/28: Day the Endangered Species Act was enacted (1973); day to mourn those creatures already extinct. [Pub. L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

[The Jewish holy scripture is the Tanak (Hebrew Bible), which includes the Torah (Law), the Neb'im (Prophets), and Kethubim (Writings). Another holy book that reflects Jewish oral tradition is the Talmud. Jews believe that Deity is a unity, but recognize that Deity has many attributes. The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) is from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. On the Sabbath, Jews attend temples or synagogues to hear readings from the Torah. Jews also abstain from labor and use this time for prayer and study of the Torah. Home rituals are also performed. The Four Covenants with God are a foundation of Judaism. Jews follow the Ten Commandments. Beliefs, ritual practice, and the length of Jewish holidays vary between Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, Reconstructionist Judaism, Liberal Judaism, Progressive Judaism, and Humanistic Judaism. The Kabbalah (also known as Kabbalism) is the mysticism of Judaism.]

[The Jewish calendar (also known as the Hebrew calendar) year is a lunisolar year. In order to harmonize the lunar months with the solar year, some years (ordinary years) have 12 months, while other years (leap years) have 13 months. The Jewish year and Jewish months begin at, or one day after, the New Moon. Jewish days begin and end at sundown. This Jewish calendar includes all days observed by any Jewish denomination for that holiday. It also includes dates commemorating the lives and teachings of Jewish mystics.]

[Please note: Because this calendar is an interfaith calendar, the term "God" is used only when referring to a male Deity. The term "Deity" is used to refer to a gender-neutral Deity or a Deity that encompasses both male and female characteristics.]

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About the Feminine Aspect of Deity...

Biblical & Apocryphal Sources:
The Suppression of Asherah
The Feminine Holy Spirit
Eloah/Hokhma/Shekhinah/Ruach/Holy Spirit as Supernal Co-Creatrix
Eloah/Hokhma/Shekhinah/Ruach/Holy Spirit as Life & Bounty
Eloah/Hokhma/Shekhinah/Ruach/Holy Spirit as Wisdom & Understanding
Eloah/Hokhma/Shekhinah/Ruach/Holy Spirit as Justice & Mercy

Non-Biblical Sources:
The Lord & The Shekhiah
The Tetragrammatan: YHVH/Yod-Heh-Vau-Heh
The Matronit/Maggid
The Kabbalistic Tree of Life

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Permission to use and distribute these excerpts is granted for non-commercial purposes, provided the following information is included:

Excerpted from
THE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2002
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2001 Page Two, Inc.
WheeloftheYear@BookArts.com
www.WheeloftheYear.com

All Gods and Goddesses
are aspects of
the One Deity

The One Deity
is reflected in
all Gods and Goddesses

The One Deity
is Deity of all

Deity is
male and female,
yet genderless

Deity is
all forms,
yet formless

Deity is
within all;
Deity is
beyond all

Deity is
all-embracing
love

With all that
is known by all
the world's sages,
with all that
is written in all
sacred books,
with all that
is experienced
in all
spiritual traditions,
we still cannot
know
the unknowable--

Deity is Mystery

The Mystic's Wheel of the Year... a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

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Year 2008 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

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Year 2008 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2008

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2008

Baha'i Holidays - 2008

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Hindu Holidays - 2008

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2008

Buddhist Holidays - 2008

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2008

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2008

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2008

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Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Meteor Showers - 2008

Visible Planets - 2008

Astrological Periods - 2008

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Year 2007 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2007

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2007

Baha'i Holidays - 2007

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Hindu Holidays - 2007

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2007

Buddhist Holidays - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2007

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2007

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Meteor Showers - 2007

Visible Planets - 2007

Astrological Periods - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±

Year 2006 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2006

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2006

Baha'i Holidays - 2006

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Hindu Holidays - 2006

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2006

Buddhist Holidays - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2006

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2006

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Meteor Showers - 2006

Visible Planets - 2006

Astrological Periods - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±

The Mystic's Wheel of the Year...
a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

Year 2008
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2008
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2008

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2008

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2008

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2008

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2008

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Year 2007
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2007

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2007

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2007

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2007

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2007

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Year 2006
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2006

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2006

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2006

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2006

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2006

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Year 2005
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2005

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2005

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2005

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2005

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2005

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2005

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2005

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2005

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2005

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2005

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2005

Year 2004
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2004

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2004

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2004

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2004

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2004

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2004

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2004

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2004

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2004

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2004

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2004