pogrom
Organized attack on Jewish communities in Eastern Europe during the 19th and early 20th century.
Shabbat Shuvah
"Sabbath of Return;" the Shabbat (sabbath) between the holidays of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. A special haftarah is read and traditionally the rabbi gives a sermon related to repentance.
(the) Shoah
Hebrew word meaning "catastrophe", referring to the Holocaust.
shofar
Ram’s horn most commonly blown throughout the month of Elul and during the High Holiday season.
Selichot
"Forgiveness;" special penitential prayers recited during Elul and the High Holidays.
sufganiyot
"Jelly doughnuts;" traditionally eaten in Israel during Hanukkah; singular: sufganiyah.
Tashlich
"Casting away;" A traditional ceremony held during the Yamim Nora-im (Days of Awe), usually on the first day of Rosh HaShanah, in which individuals symbolically “cast away” their sins or wrongdoings from the past year by throwing breadcrumbs into a flowing body of water.
T'shuvah
Tishrei
Seventh month on the Hebrew calendar; Rosh HaShanah falls on the first day of this month.
Vidui
"Confession;" liturgical prayer recited throughout Yom Kippur; confessional said before death.