Holiday Celebrations

Elul

Elul is the month before Rosh Hashanah, and it is a time to reflect on the past year
and to prepare for the High Holidays. The themes of Elul are self-reflection,
forgiveness and divine closeness, among others. We work on the process of
teshuva, of returning to our souls, and doing the inner work of repairing and
deepening our relationship with ourselves, others and with the Divine. 

Each day (except Shabbat), we will come together (on Zoom) for our Elul check-ins. These will include a short teaching/meditation, singing part of the 27th Psalm and the blowing of the shofar. They will last about 15 minutes. It’s a nice way to start our days with our fellow congregants.
 

Rosh Hashanah 

On Erev Rosh Hashanah we have a service welcoming everybody. On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we host a traditional morning service, using the Reconstructionist High Holiday Prayerbook (Machzor) with a D’var Torah from the rabbi. The service is interspersed with modern and contemporary poems and readings. After the morning service, we head to the Delaware River for Tashlich.

We offer a family-oriented service in the afternoon complete with shofar blowing (except on Shabbat), highlighting the main prayers.  The service is punctuated by teachings and questions families can talk through with each other. 

Please check the calendar for any updated information. 
 

Yom Kippur 

On Kol Nidre, we have services and a sermon. Our morning service begins at 9:00 a.m. in our sanctuary, ending with Yizkor, prayers of remembrance. We also conduct our family-oriented service in the sanctuary, beginning at 2:00. We return in the afternoon for a program, followed by concluding services of Yom Kippur, including the chanting of the Book of Jonah, and Ne’ilah services. Every year, after the shofar sounds to end Yom Kippur, we break the fast together as a community. 

Details are in the High Holiday mailings sent one month before Rosh Hashanah. Please check the calendar for any updated information. 
 

Sukkot 

Sukkot commemorates the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. It is marked by the construction of temporary shelters called sukkahs, where meals are eaten, and sometimes people sleep, to symbolize the fragile dwellings used during their journey.

Leading up to Sukkot every year, members come together to build our Sukkah. During the holiday, we have a communal celebration, and on Shabbat, Oneg in the Sukkah (weather permitting).

Simchat Torah 

Every year we celebrate Simchat Torah as a community, dancing and parading in the lobby and parking lot (weather permitting) with our Torahs.Come and experience the ritual of reading the end and the beginning of our Torah. Join us as we unroll the Torah scroll for all to see as well as dance and sing to celebrate our love of Torah!  

Chanukah 

The festival of lights is a festive time at KHN. Leading up to the holiday, we have sales of candles, dreidels, Chanukah paper goods, and small toys.  One night during the holiday everyone brings their Hanukkiot (menorahs) to Shul, and we light the candles together as a community, sing festive Chanukah songs, and have a contest to see who makes the best latkes.

Each Chanukah, KHN joins all the synagogues and organizations in our Bucks County Jewish Coalition to light candles, sing songs, and enjoy holiday-themed snacks and beverages near the Delaware River as a larger Jewish community. 
 

Purim 

Purim is a fun time for old and young at KHN. Some years, there is a costume party for the adults, filled with music, dancing, and of course, Hamantashen. We also have a partial megillah reading during Shul School and lots of singing.  We enjoy our annual Purim carnival for the children, filled with games, prizes, face painting, a costume parade, and fun food.

Pictures and videos from our 2020 Purim celebration can be found HERE.
The video of our 2022 Purim celebration can be found HERE.
Our Megillah and song-parody e-booklet for 2021 can be found HERE.
Our Megillah and song-parody e-booklet for 2022 can be found HERE.
 

Passover

Passover at KHN includes a vibrant seder filled with singing and dancing and discussion on a relevant social justice issue. It is a fun night of praying, singing, eating, and community. Reservations are required.

Every year, KHN invites its members and the larger community to gather at a local facility for a dairy/vegetarian Second Seder. KHN provides the main course, wine, matzo, Haggadot, and dishes. Guests supply side dishes and desserts; all kosher for Passover by ingredient.
 

Lag B’Omer

As spring wears on and summer approaches, we have a Lag B’Omer celebration as a community. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with outings, bonfires, parades, and other joyous events. At KHN, we host a multigenerational bonfire along with the Shul School on the synagogue grounds, roast s'mores, and sing songs.
 

Shavuot

Shavuot is when we celebrate the giving of Torah on Mt. Sinai. Come celebrate with us, usually with some learning of Torah and of course, the traditional Shavuot dessert of cheesecake! 
 

Tisha B’Av

A communal Jewish day of mourning. Tisha B'Av is typically honored together with the larger Bucks County Jewish community