Jewish Holidays

What Is Shavuot — The Jewish 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.

What Is Yom HaShoah?

This year, beginning at sundown, April 7th and ending at sundown, April 8th, 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 Purim?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What Is Passover?

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.

What Is Israel Independence Day?

Learn about Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day, and how the modern Jewish state came into being and how Israel remains a beacon of democracy.

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.