Upcoming Holidays and Celebrations in Israel

Asarah B'Tevet (Tenth of Tevet)

Asarah B'Tevet, the Tenth of Tevet, is a day of fasting and mourning in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, which ultimately led to the destruction of the First Temple. Jews fast on this day to remember the hardships of the past. It's a time for reflection on Jewish history and a reminder of the importance of preserving their heritage.

Tu Bishvat

Tu Bishvat, often referred to as the Jewish Arbor Day or New Year for Trees, celebrates the connection between Judaism and nature. It's a time to appreciate the environment's beauty and significance. Many Israelis plant trees on this day, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability. It reflects Israel's commitment to preserving its natural resources.

Fast of Esther

The Fast of Esther precedes the holiday of Purim and commemorates Queen Esther's fast before she approached King Ahasuerus to save the Jewish people from Haman's evil plot. It is a day of reflection, unity, and prayer. It highlights the courage and determination of Queen Esther and the power of collective action in the face of adversity.

Purim Eve

Purim Eve is the eve of the joyous holiday of Purim, known for its festive atmosphere, costumes, and the reading of the Book of Esther. Purim commemorates the defeat of Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews, as told in the Book of Esther. It's a time of celebration, emphasizing the triumph of good over evil and the importance of preserving Jewish culture.

Purim (Tel Aviv)

Purim is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Tel Aviv, with colorful parades, parties, and costume contests. It's a day to let loose, have fun, and enjoy traditional Purim treats. The city comes alive with a vibrant cultural celebration that showcases Tel Aviv's modern spirit while honoring Jewish traditions and history.

Shushan Purim (Jerusalem)

Shushan Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem a day after Purim in other parts of Israel. It commemorates the day when the Jews in the ancient Persian city of Shushan were allowed to defend themselves against their enemies. Jerusalem's observance of Shushan Purim adds a unique layer to the city's rich historical and cultural tapestry.

Aliyah Day

Aliyah Day celebrates the immigration of Jewish people to Israel, known as aliyah. It's a day to recognize the contributions of immigrants to the country's development and cultural diversity. Aliyah Day underscores Israel's status as a homeland for Jewish people worldwide and highlights the importance of immigration in shaping its society.

Passover Eve

Passover Eve, also known as Seder night, marks the beginning of the Passover holiday. Families gather for the Seder meal, retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt. It's a time to emphasize the importance of freedom and liberation, as well as the preservation of Jewish traditions and identity.

Yom HaShoah

Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a solemn day to remember the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Israel comes to a standstill with sirens, memorial ceremonies, and educational programs. It underscores the commitment to never forget the Holocaust and the importance of fighting against hatred and prejudice.

Yom HaZikaron

Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, is dedicated to honoring the memory of fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. It's a day of reflection and unity, with ceremonies, visits to military cemeteries, and the sounding of sirens throughout the country. Yom HaZikaron highlights the sacrifices made for Israel's security and freedom.

Yom HaAtzmaut

Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, celebrates the country's declaration of independence in 1948. It's a day of national pride and joy, with fireworks, parades, and cultural events. Yom HaAtzmaut emphasizes the modern state of Israel's existence and the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history.

Lag BaOmer

Lag BaOmer is a festive day celebrated with bonfires, music, and outdoor activities. It falls during the Omer period between Passover and Shavuot. It's associated with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's teachings and symbolizes unity, joy, and Jewish mysticism. The holiday highlights Israel's diverse religious traditions and their cultural significance.

Jerusalem Day

Jerusalem Day commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. It's a day to celebrate the historical and spiritual significance of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Events include parades and ceremonies, emphasizing the importance of Jerusalem in Jewish heritage and identity.

Shavuot Eve

Shavuot Eve marks the beginning of Shavuot, the holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It's a time for all-night Torah study and reflection on Jewish wisdom and traditions. Shavuot Eve reinforces the importance of Torah and Jewish education in Israel's cultural fabric.

Shavuot

Shavuot is a holiday of joy and gratitude for the gift of the Torah. It's celebrated with dairy foods, floral decorations, and synagogue services. Shavuot emphasizes the cultural and religious significance of Torah study and the importance of upholding Jewish laws and customs in Israel.

17th of Tammuz

The 17th of Tammuz marks the beginning of a three-week period of mourning leading up to Tisha B'Av. It commemorates the breach of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple. The day serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual reflection and repentance, contributing to Israel's religious identity.

Tisha B'Av Eve

Tisha B'Av Eve is the eve of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It's observed with fasting, reading the Book of Lamentations, and mourning customs. Tisha B'Av Eve underscores the historical and religious significance of Jerusalem and the Jewish connection to the land.

Tisha B'Av

Tisha B'Av is a day of fasting and mourning that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It's a day of introspection, prayer, and reading from the Book of Lamentations. Tisha B'Av emphasizes the historical and religious ties of the Jewish people to Jerusalem and the importance of preserving their heritage.

Rosh Hashana Eve

Rosh Hashana Eve marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, a time for reflection, prayer, and family gatherings. The holiday emphasizes self-improvement and renewal as individuals seek forgiveness and plan for a better future. Rosh Hashana Eve is a cultural reminder of the importance of personal growth and spiritual connection.

Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is a two-day holiday filled with prayers, festive meals, and the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn). It's a time to reflect on one's actions, seek forgiveness, and set positive intentions for the year ahead. Rosh Hashana underscores the cultural and spiritual significance of renewal and self-improvement.

Gedaliah Fast

The Gedaliah Fast is observed on the third day of Tishrei and commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah ben Ahikam, a Jewish leader appointed by the Babylonians after the destruction of the First Temple. It's a day of fasting and mourning, reminding Jews of the consequences of division and betrayal within their community. The holiday highlights unity and loyalty among the Jewish people.

Yom Kippur Eve

Yom Kippur Eve is the eve of the Day of Atonement, a solemn day of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It's a time for repentance and seeking forgiveness for one's sins. Yom Kippur Eve reinforces the cultural and religious importance of self-examination, forgiveness, and reconciliation within the Jewish community.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It's observed with fasting, prayer, and repentance, as Jews seek forgiveness for their sins. Yom Kippur emphasizes the cultural and religious significance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and personal renewal within the Jewish faith and Israel as a whole.

Sukkot Eve

Sukkot Eve marks the beginning of the week-long festival of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. It's a time to dwell in temporary booths (sukkahs) and celebrate the harvest season. Sukkot Eve underscores the cultural significance of agriculture and the historical connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel.

Sukkot (Day 7) / Hoshanah Rabah

Hoshanah Rabah is the seventh day of Sukkot and is observed with special prayers and rituals. It's a day to seek divine forgiveness and blessings for the upcoming year. Hoshanah Rabah highlights the cultural and religious importance of Sukkot and the Jewish connection to nature and spirituality.

Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah

Shemini Atzeret is a day of assembly following Sukkot, marked by special prayers. Simchat Torah, immediately following, celebrates the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle. It's a time for dancing with Torah scrolls and rejoicing in Jewish learning. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah emphasize the cultural significance of Torah study and Jewish tradition.

Aliyah Day School Observance

Aliyah Day School Observance is a day to educate students about the significance of aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel). It instills a sense of cultural identity and pride in Jewish students, fostering a deeper understanding of the historical and contemporary importance of immigration to Israel's society.

Hanukkah (Day 1)

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the miracle of the oil in the Second Temple. It's observed by lighting the menorah, playing the dreidel game, and enjoying fried foods. Hanukkah emphasizes the cultural and religious significance of resilience, faith, and the preservation of Jewish traditions in the face of adversity.

Asarah B'Tevet (Tenth of Tevet)

Asarah B'Tevet, the Tenth of Tevet, is a day of fasting and mourning in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, which ultimately led to the destruction of the First Temple. Jews fast on this day to remember the hardships of the past. It's a time for reflection on Jewish history and a reminder of the importance of preserving their heritage.