Jewish Holidays

Yom Kippur, also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy […]

Sukkot (sukkōt, or sukkos, Feast of Booths, Feast of Tabernacles) is a Biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (late September to late October). It […]

Shemini Atzeret (“the Eighth of Assembly”) is celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (first month of calendar). In the Diaspora, an additional day is celebrated, […]

Simchat Torah or Simḥath Torah (also Simkhes Toreh, “Rejoicing with/of the Torah,”) is a celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of […]

Tu BiShvat or Tu B’Shevat or Tu B’Shvat occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. It is also called “The New Year of the Trees” or […]

Purim (“lots”, from the word pur, related to Akkadian pūru) commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot […]

Passover (Pesach) commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan […]

Yom Hazikaron (Israel's Memorial Day) is a day to remember Israel’s fallen soldiers as well as Israeli victims of terror.

Immediately after Yom Hazikaron ends, Yom Haatzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) begins. It takes place on the date in the Hebrew calendar that Israel declared independence, the 5th of Iyar.  

Lag BaOmer occurs on the 33rd day of the Omer, which is the 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. The word “Lag” represents the number 33 in Hebrew, and the name […]

Holocaust Remembrance Day “Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day” known colloquially in Israel and abroad as Yom HaShoah (יום השואה) and in English as Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Holocaust Day, is […]