Jewish Holidays

Jewish mothers and children at Birkenau gas chambers

What Is Yom HaShoah?

April 22, 2025

This year, beginning sundown on April 23rd, 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.

What Is Passover?

March 22, 2025

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 10, 2025

Purim is the most joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar, celebrating the story of Queen Esther whose courageous act saved the Jewish people.

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

February 6, 2025

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.

A lit menorah with donuts and other treats behind it.

What Is Hanukkah? - A Season of Miracles and Light

November 1, 2024

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.

Ultra orthodox Jews seen writing in a newly inscribed Torah scroll (a handwritten copy of the Torah, the holiest book within Judaism) before it will be brought into a synagogue in the ultra orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Meah Shearim.

What Is Simchat Torah?

October 23, 2024

The final day of the Jewish festival Sukkot is known as Simchat Torah, which literally means "Rejoicing in the Torah." On this day, Jews mark the completion of reading through the Torah, from the first chapter of Genesis to the closing words of Deuteronomy.

Samaritans sit in their living room with a home-made 'Sukkah' made from fresh fruit for the Jewish holiday of the Tabernacles, or Sukkot

What Is the Festival of Tabernacles - Sukkot?

October 8, 2024

Celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot) from October 16-23, 2024. Learn about its traditions, significance, and how it’s observed with joy and gratitude.

Jewish man blowing the shofar on a hilltop during the High Holy Days.

What Are the High Holy Days?

October 7, 2024

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.

An orthodox Jewish group sets up a gender divider, amongst protests, during a public prayer on Dizengoff Square for Yom Kippur

What Is Yom Kippur?

October 4, 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 October 11 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.

What Is Rosh Hashanah?

September 5, 2024

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and this year, it begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2 and is observed for two days. Learn more about the observations associated with celebrating Rosh Hashanah.

Jewish man praying at the Western Wall with his hands touching the wall.

What Is Tisha B'Av?

July 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.

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.