Jewish Holidays
Simchat Torah – Rejoicing in the Torah
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.
Learn More
Sukkot — A Season of Rejoicing
Following the somber introspection of the High Holy Days comes Sukkot, a joyous celebration of God's provision and providence for His children. Learn more about this "season of rejoicing" through our various resources.
Yom Kippur – The Holiest Day of the Year
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year. Listen now as President and CEO Yael Eckstein talk about the Jewish perspective of repentance.
Rosh Hashanah — Celebrating the New Year
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is observed on the first day of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar, which falls in September or October on the Gregorian calendar (the calendar in common use throughout the world). Learn more about the observations associated with celebrating Rosh Hashanah.
Preparing for the High Holy Days
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.
Tisha B'Av - A Time to Mourn
Tisha b’Av (the Fast of the Ninth of Av) is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which have occurred on the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av. In particular, Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of the two Jerusalem Temples—the first in 586 BCE (Before the Common Era) and the second in 70 CE.
Shavuot — Pentecost
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.
Yom HaAtzmaut — Israel Independence Day
Yael Eckstein answers the question, "What makes Israel so Special?" by describing the joy and beauty of celebrating Israel's independence.
Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day
Beginning at sundown, April 20th and ending at sundown, April 21st, 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 the Yom HaShoah meaning? During the observance, flags are flown at half mast, and at 10 a.m., air raid sirens sound throughout the country and Israelis stop wherever they are to observe a two-minute silence of solemn reflection. Learn more about this dark and tragic time through our many resources.
Passover - The Feast of Unleavened Bread
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.
Purim Holiday — A Celebration of Bravery & Deliverance from Destruction
During the Purim Jewish holiday celebration, one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar, Jews participate in a public reading of the biblical book of Esther, as well as delivering baskets of food and drink to friends, eating hat-shaped cookies, performing plays and parodies, and dressing up in costume.
