Jewish Holidays


Person picking olives from an olive tree.

What Is Shavuot — The Jewish Pentecost?

July 3, 2024
Shavuot (pronounced sha-voo-OHT), which Christians know better from the Greek, Pentecost, is one of three pilgrimage festivals in which Jewish men during biblical times were obligated to go to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Jewish men covering their eyes in prayer at the Western Wall.

What Is Yom Kippur?

June 26, 2024
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year and is the culmination of the High Holy Days, which begins at sundown on September 24 after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It marks the final opportunity to repent before God before the Book of Life is sealed for another year.
Yom Yerushalayim, or Jerusalem Day, commemorates the liberation of God's Holy City in 1967

What Is Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim)?

May 23, 2024
Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, is celebrated every year in May, commemorating the liberation and reunification of God’s Holy City during the Six-Day War in 1967. We celebrate another year of a unified Jerusalem. Learn more about this remarkable city and this miraculous event of Yom Yerushalayim with our resources.
Jewish man praying at the Western Wall with his hands touching the wall.

What Is Tisha B'Av?

May 16, 2024
Tisha B’Av (the Fast of the Ninth of Av) is the darkest day on the Jewish calendar, a day of communal mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people which have occurred on this very day.
Holocaust survivor showing her tattoo

What Is Yom HaShoah?

May 2, 2024
This year, beginning sundown on May 5th, Israel and Jews worldwide observe Yom HaShoah, Israel Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were brutally murdered at the hands of the Nazi regime.
Young girl holding two Israeli flags and celebrating Israel's Independence Day

Israel Independence Day: Celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut

May 1, 2024
Learn about Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, and how the modern Jewish state came into being and how Israel remains a beacon of democracy.
Yael Eckstein and her family gathered at the table holding hands during Passover.

What Is Passover?

April 16, 2024
Over the past 3,000 years, Passover has endured as the most celebrated and widely observed holiday in the Jewish tradition. Passover commemorates the seminal event in Jewish history — the story of the Exodus which led to the birth of the Jewish nation, Israel. In addition, the most basic and fundamental principles found in Judaism.
Yael Eckstein with scarf on her head smiling and celebrating Purim.

What Is Purim?

March 20, 2024
Purim is the most joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar, celebrating the story of Queen Esther whose courageous act saved the Jewish people.
Yael touching a tree

What Is Tu B'Shvat? - The New Year of Trees

January 18, 2024
This month marks the celebration of Tu B'Shvat, the New Year of the Trees. Discover more about this special day that celebrates God's Creation and the many lessons that we can learn from it.
Yael Eckstein in a mustard headband holding an IFCJ food box with a ribbon on it.

What Are the Jewish Holidays?

January 2, 2024
The Jewish year is marked by a series of holy observances and holidays. This article offers a brief overview of those holidays and their significance to the Jewish faith.
A lit menorah with donuts and other treats behind it.

What Is Hanukkah? - A Season of Miracles and Light

October 1, 2023
Hanukkah is one of the most joyous festivals of the Jewish calendar. Discover more about this celebration of God's wondrous miracles and the many important lessons Hanukkah has for both Christians and Jews through our rich resources.
Jewish man blowing the shofar on a hilltop during the High Holy Days.

What Are the High Holy Days?

August 16, 2023
The High Holy Days are the most widely observed Jewish holidays, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and ending ten days later with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.