Holidays and Observances: Fall

Rosh Hashanah falls on the first day of the seventh month of Tishrei in the Jewish calendar, or mid-September in the Gregorian calendar. Rosh Hashanah, along with Yom Kippur, are commonly referred to as the High Holidays and are observed ten days apart. The new year is traditionally observed by abstaining from work, attending prayer services, and eating apples with honey to symbolize a sweet new year.

Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn Jewish holiday of the year. The holiday is devoted to atoning for sins committed over the course of the previous year. Yom Kippur is traditionally observed by refraining from work, attending prayer services, and fasting from sundown until nightfall the next day. The blowing of the 'shofar' (a trumpet made from a kosher animal) and a post-fast meal signifies the end of Yom Kippur.

Sukkot is a week long Jewish Holiday that follows Yom Kippur five days later. Sukkot celebrates the harvest and is traditionally observed by dwelling in a temporary outdoor booth (known as a sukkah). The sukkah commemorates the dwellings the Israelites lived in as they left Egypt in the Book of Exodus. Three species of plants (palm, myrtle, and willow) are bound together to form a 'luvav'. The lulav, together with a citrus fruit called an 'etrog', are another important symbol of the holiday.

Diwali is the most important and widely celebrated Hindu festival, lasting five days during the lunar month of Ashvina (late October or early November). Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and is observed differently depending on the region or community tradition. One common tradition is to light clay oil lamps, called 'diyas', and place them outside the home. Dressing in new clothes, lighting fireworks and sparklers, and sharing special desserts are also popular ways to celebrate Diwali.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is an important celebration in Chinese culture and in other cultures in East and Southeast Asia. The festival dates back over 3,000 years, originating as a harvest festival. The moon festival is commonly observes by gathering with friends and family, eating traditional Chinese pastries called mooncakes, and decorating the home and public spaces with lanterns.

The Day of the Dead originated in Mexico and is a three day holiday beginning on November 1. The holiday is dedicated to prayer and remembrance of deceased friends and family members. Traditionally, altars ('ofrendas') are built in the home or at gravesites. Altars are decorated with photos of the deceased, food offerings such as tamales, and marigold flowers to honor the dead. Imagery of skulls ('calavera') are another important symbol of the holiday and range anywhere from masks to sugar skull sculptures.

Halloween is a popular holiday in North America and is observed in other countries around the world as well. The holiday began as Christian holiday known as 'All Hallows' Eve', observed on October 31st, the day before All Saints' Day. Today, Halloween is a largely secular holiday and is widely celebrated in the US. Observed by dressing up in costumes, attending parties, carving pumpkins, or trick-or-treating, the holiday centers around spooky imagery and figures such as graveyards, haunted houses, witches, and other monsters.