Festivals & High Holy Days
Gathering as a community to celebrate, reflect, and renew throughout the Jewish year.
Jewish festivals bring our heritage to life through shared meals, music, prayer, and seasonal traditions. At Hertfordshire Progressive Synagogue, our doors are open to members, visitors, and multi-generational families as we celebrate the sacred rhythm of the Jewish calendar together across our campuses.
High Holy Days at HPS
Looking for information on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, ticket access for non-members, family programming, or live-stream links?
Festivals (Shalosh Regalim)
- Pesach (Passover): Communal First Night Seders, interactive matzah-baking workshops for kids, and festival morning services incorporating contemporary readings on freedom and renewal.
- Shavuot: Late-night study sessions (Tikkun Leil Shavuot) exploring modern Jewish ethics, milk-and-honey festive treats, and Shavuot services honoring our religion school students.
- Sukkot & Simchat Torah: Building and decorating our communal Sukkot at Radlett and Elstree, outdoor meals, and joyful dancing as we unroll the entire Torah scroll around the sanctuary.
Seasonal & Cultural Celebrations
- Chanukah: Multi-generational giant Menorah lightings, acoustic musical jams, latke parties, and youth craft hubs.
- Purim: Hilarious, community-led Purim Shpiels (dramatic comedies), fancy dress parades for all ages, traditional Megillah readings, and Hamantaschen baking.
- Tu BiShvat (Festival of Trees): Experiential eco-Seders, tree-planting projects, and guided nature walks as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship.
- Yom HaShoah & Days of Remembrance: Reflective, solemn services honoring Holocaust memory, featuring our community's legacy Czech Memorial Torah Scrolls.