As the Jewish holidays 2024 of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, workplaces have a unique opportunity to foster inclusivity and respect for diverse cultural practices. 

These holidays, which signify the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement, respectively, are deeply significant for Jewish employees and their families. Celebrating these occasions at work not only honors their traditions but also enhances team cohesion and understanding. 

This article will explore meaningful ways to acknowledge these Jewish holidays 2024 and show employers and HR leaders how to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the workplace, ensuring that all employees feel valued and included during this sacred time.

What and when is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is both a religious and cultural holiday in Judaism, carrying deep significance in Jewish spiritual life and cultural traditions. It marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days (also known as the Days of Awe) and is a time for reflection, prayer, and repentance. The holiday usually occurs in September or early October, depending on the Hebrew calendar. For this year, Rosh Hashanah begins on 2 October 2024 and is expected to end on the evening of 4 October 2024. 

What and when is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is also one of the significant Jewish holidays 2024 that takes place 10 days after Rosh Hashanah. This year, Yom Kippur begins on the evening of 11 October 2024 and ends at nightfall on 12 October 2024. This Jewish holiday 2024 is regarded as the day of the atonement and is observed with strict fasting and spiritual cleansing. 

Rosh Hashanah vs Yom Kippur

While both Jewish holidays 2024 such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have their similarities, they also share key differences that define the nature and purpose of each holiday.

Rosh Hashanah is primarily a time for celebration, introspection, and setting intentions for the coming year. This period is characterized by reflection on one’s actions and choices from the past year, with a focus on self-improvement and spiritual renewal. Rosh Hashanah is festive, involving meals with family, prayers, and the symbolic blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn) to awaken a sense of repentance.

Yom Kippur, on the other hand, is the culmination of these ten days, and is known as the Day of Atonement. It is a much more solemn and intense day of fasting, prayer, and seeking forgiveness from both God and others for any wrongdoings committed over the past year. The day is dedicated to spiritual cleansing and the final opportunity to atone for sins before God seals the fate for the coming year. Unlike Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur involves a complete fast for 25 hours and abstaining from work, as well as focusing heavily on repentance and self-denial.

Why is it important to celebrate?

Respect and inclusion

Recognizing Jewish holidays 2024 like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur shows respect for diverse cultural and religious practices in the workplace. This acknowledgment cultivates trust and inclusivity, helping to create a supportive workplace culture where individuals feel valued and respected for their beliefs. This sense of value and respect positively impacts morale, leading to increased efficiency and job satisfaction in the workplace. 

Cultural understanding

Celebrating Jewish holidays 2024 provides an opportunity for team members and leaders to learn about Jewish traditions and customs, fostering greater cultural understanding and empathy. 

Events that promote diversity in the workplace also help to build stronger connections, improve collaboration, and create a more inclusive environment where employees can thrive and be their authentic selves. This further showcases an organization’s commitment towards diversity, helping to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

Employee wellbeing

Offering flexibility and accommodations for religious observances supports employees’ physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, helping them balance work with personal and religious commitments.

How to celebrate Rosh Hashanah at work?

1. Provide flexible scheduling

Allow employees to take time-off to observe Rosh Hashanah, ensuring they can participate in services and traditions without work pressure. If employees prefer not to take the entire day off, offer flexible work hours during the holiday. For example, allow employees to start later or finish earlier to attend religious services, or offer a reduced workday to accommodate holiday observance.

For employees returning after Rosh Hashanah, be flexible with deadlines and work expectations, understanding that the holiday may involve religious observances or family commitments that can be tiring.

Read next: HR’s Out of Office Checklist

2. Send out holiday greetings

A simple, thoughtful gesture like sending an email wishing employees a “Shana Tova”  which means Happy New Year can go a long way in making them feel included. To make it more special, send personalized emails to each employee, mentioning their name and something specific about their work or interests.

3. Provide educational resources

Another way to celebrate Jewish holidays 2024 like Rosh Hashanah is to provide educational resources that help employees understand the holiday’s significance, such as sharing articles, videos, or organizing interactive workshops to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity. 

Invite employees who observe Rosh Hashanah to share their personal experiences, stories, or traditions through an internal blog post, newsletter feature, or during team meetings. This also personalizes the learning experience for others.

4. Host a team luncheon

Organizing a festive meal or potluck is also a good way to celebrate Jewish holidays 2024. To celebrate Rosh Hashanah in the workplace with a luncheon, you can include traditional Jewish foods that symbolize sweetness, prosperity, and new beginnings.

For example, a centerpiece of the meal could be apples and honey, which represent the hope for a sweet year ahead. Round challah bread, symbolizing the cyclical nature of the year, can be served alongside. These foods not only reflect the holiday’s themes but also offer a diverse and delicious menu to share with colleagues.

5. Decorate the office

Use symbolic decorations, such as apples and honey to set a festive mood and show support for the holiday. You can also consider including fresh flowers adding brightness to the space.

How to support employees working on Yom Kippur?

1. Offer time off or reduce workload

Among the Jewish holidays 2024, Yom Kippur can be physically and emotionally demanding, as it involves fasting and praying. To support your employees working on Yom Kippur, offer time-off or reduce workload to allow them to fully observe the holiday and take care of their wellbeing without added work-related stress. 

This helps employees feel respected and encouraged, allowing them to focus on their spiritual and emotional needs during this important time, which can ultimately lead to increased employee satisfaction and loyalty to the organization.

2. Create a designated quiet space

Designated prayer spaces can be a valuable asset for employees observing Yom Kippur, providing a quiet and respectful environment for religious reflection. This action alone demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and respect for employees’ religious beliefs. It allows employees to observe their faith without feeling pressured or isolated, fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace. 

When selecting a suitable location, it’s essential to choose areas away from high-traffic zones to reduce noise disturbances. Ensure the space offers a degree of privacy, perhaps by using partitions or curtains. And if possible, select areas with natural light, which can contribute to a peaceful atmosphere.

3. Provide water and snacks for employees after the fast

For employees who fast, having snacks or water available after sunset shows thoughtfulness and care, helping them replenish their energy and feel supported as they transition back to their regular routine.

4. Promote your EAP services

For a period like Yom Kippur, this is the appropriate time to promote your employee assistance program services. It’s important to highlight the emotional and spiritual support available to employees, encouraging them to utilize these resources for reflection, healing, and guidance during this significant time. 

Some practical ways to do this include offering informational workshops, distributing resource flyers, sending out targeted emails, and providing access to counseling sessions tailored to the unique challenges employees may face during the holiday.

5. Educate employees on the significance of Yom Kippur

Adequate training and resources should be provided to ensure that all staff understand the cultural and spiritual importance of Jewish holidays 2024 such as Yom Kippur. This can include informational sessions, written materials, and open discussions to enhance awareness and encourage supportive practices among colleagues.

Elevating Employee Experience Through HR Software

Celebrate the Jewish holidays 2024 such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with these tips and ideas.

Stay on top of every upcoming festive celebration with Omni’s customizable dashboard which allows your teams to set and manage calendars pre-loaded with country or region specific holidays and timezones. Book a demo with our team to learn more about how Omni can support your international workforce.