Simchat Torah – The Joyful Jewish Holiday

Simchat Torah – The Joyful Jewish Holiday

Simchat Torah (Hebrew for “rejoicing with/of the Torah”) is a Jewish holiday that marks the end of the annual cycle of public Torah reading and the beginning of a new cycle. Simchat Torah is a part of Shemini Atzeret, which takes place immediately after the week-long Sukkot festival. Shemini Atzeret literally means … Read more

The Festival of Sukkot

sukkot

If you’re currently visiting Israel or planning to visit there in the future, knowing all about the Jewish holidays and customs can be a rewarding experience. It allows you to understand how Israelite Jews cherish and value these enduring traditions, a big part of why Israel is such a unique and beautiful … Read more

Yom Kippur – The Holiest Day for the Jews

Yom Kippur – The Holiest Day for the Jews

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year; thus, it is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. It is also known as the “Day of Atonement,” with its central themes being atonement and repentance. It falls on the 10th day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish … Read more

Pesach or Passover – What You Need to Know

Pesach or Passover – What You Need to Know

Knowing and understanding about the major and minor holidays in Israel will help you appreciate the country’s culture and traditions better. It also allows you to be informed about what to expect and do whenever these holidays occur, especially if you’re a foreigner visiting Israel. Pesach or Passover is one of the … Read more

Customs and Rituals During Shavuot

Customs and Rituals During Shavuot

Shavuot is one of the biblically recognized Three Pilgrimage Festivals. It is one of the important Jewish holidays that occurs on the sixth of Sivan of the Hebrew calendar (falling seven weeks after Passover or Pesach at the end of the counting of the Omer), or somewhere between May 15 and June … Read more

Jerusalem Festival of Light

Jerusalem Festival of Light

The Jerusalem Festival of Light was held for a week in June – from June 15 to June 22 in the Old City of Jerusalem. Once again, the festival illuminated the Old City as the the walls and surrounding streets and buildings became a luminous and colorful carnival of light installations and … Read more

Pesach (Passover) Events – Where To Go? What To Do?

Pesach (Passover) Events

Pesach (Passover) is vacation time and there are always lots of events going on around the country. Here are a few that we have collected – check back as we update this list of Pesach (Passover) Events – Where to Go & What to Do? There around 50 sites with free admission … Read more

Chanukah in Safed

Chanukah in Safed

Things to do in Zefat (Safed) this Chanukah If you’re looking for a fun yet meaningful Chanukah (Hanukkah) experience, head to Zefat – The Mystical City, and take your pick of any of the engaging and interactive options Zefat – Public Candle-Lighting Ceremonies Shabbat candles are candles lit on Friday evening before … Read more

Jerusalem Festival of Light

Jerusalem Festival of Light

The Jerusalem Festival of Light was held for a week in June 2011 — from June 15 to June 22 in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Festival of Light began in 2009. It showcases the work of the foremost Israeli and international artists who use light as their creative medium. … Read more