Is Rosh HaShanah “early” this year? Can Passover fall during the summer? The Jewish calendar can seem mysterious. Rabbi Phil Goldwasser will explain how the Jewish calendar is built, how months and years are organized, and why the dates of holidays and Torah readings shift from year to year. He will explore the relationship between the calendar’s rules and real-life observance, addressing not just what happens on the calendar, but why it happens. Participants will gain an understanding of how the Jewish calendar’s structure and calculations create the familiar rhythm of Jewish life.
Rabbi Philip Goldwasser holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Rutgers University, an MA from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and rabbinic ordination from Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk. As a post-denominational rabbi, Rabbi Goldwasser is committed to making Jewish education accessible to everyone, regardless of background or affiliation. Rabbi Phil currently serves as the Director of Operations of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. You can learn more about Rabbi Phil on his website, where you can also read his weekly blog on the Torah portion and his responses to “ask Rabbi Phil.”
