The National holidays in Israel are for the most part the Jewish holidays including Israel Independence Day. The dates for holidays follow the Jewish calendar meaning that they fall on different dates each year according to the commonly used calendar. On holidays schools are closed along with most businesses and all government offices and banks. National Parks are usually open but other tourist attractions, museums, many malls and car rental offices are not. In general there is no public transportation except in a few cases though taxis are available. The airport is open but Israel’s national carrier El Al does not fly on holidays. Emergency services and hospitals are available. In general Tel Aviv and Haifa are more “open” during the holidays than Jerusalem.
Below are short explanations of the holidays and a list of holiday dates for the next few years. It is important to note that the holidays begin in the evening and last until the following evening.
Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashana-the Jewish New Year marks the beginning of what is often known as the “High Holiday” period- the most sacred time of the Jewish year. Unlike the secular New Year Rosh Hashana and the High Holiday period are marked by prayer and introspection by observant Jews and families get together to celebrate.
Rosh Hashana lasts for two days on beginning on the first and second of Tishrei, the first month of the Jewish calendar which generally falls about the end of September.
Yom HaKippurim (Yom Kippur)
The Day of Atonement is the holiest day of the year, during which all Jewish adults are to fast for an entire day- about 26 hours. The holiday begins 10 days after Rosh Hashana. Israel basically shuts down on this day and even the airport is closed with no flights landing or taking off. People refrain from driving, playing music, and other types of entertainment. Restaurants and bars are closed. The day is devoted to prayer by the observant sector of the population and others respect the holiness of the day.
Succot and Simchat Torah
Sukkot is a very special holiday during which many Israelis set up special huts called "succot" in their back yard or on their apartment balconies. Commerorating the time when the Israelites lived in “booths” in the desert the custom is for families and friends to get together in the “succot” for food and good company. Succot lasts for seven days and starts on Tishrei 25. The beginning and end of Succot are marked by true holidays and the intermediate days are half-holidays when some services are available only for half a day. The last holiday is called "Simchat Torah" in which we celebrate the beginning of the reading of the Torah in synagogues starting with the first chapter of Genesis.
Hanukka
This holiday marked by the lighting of special candelabra called a “menorah” or “Hanukkiah”, is beloved of children especially. Traditions include giving them treats of candy and gifts and special foods like the Israeli version of a jelly doughnut called a “sufgania” are eaten. The holiday celebrates a victory of the Jews over the occupying Greeks and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Starting on Kislev 25 usually in the month of December it ends eight days later. During this holiday most offices and business are open as usual.
Tu Bishvat
While not a holiday in terms of vacation this is the Israeli equivalent of Arbor Day- the “New Year” of trees. Children and adults alike take this opportunity to plant new trees in the forests of Israel, together with plants and flowers. It usually falls around the end of January.
Taanit Esther (the fast of Esther) and Purim
An outsider could be forgiven for thinking that Purim is Halloween but at a different time of year as it is customary for everyone to dress up in costumes. The holiday follows the story of Queen Esther (the Book of Esther) where she saved the Jews of Persia from being destroyed by a wicked ruler. It is the happiest holiday in Israel and while ghosts and goblins are not part of it you will see groups of kids dressed up in their costumes during the whole day. It is not a vacation day and all services are available. Purim usually falls around the beginning to middle of March.
Passover (Pesach)
This is another weeklong holiday is when we celebrate the freedom gained by Jewish people as Moses led them out of Egypt. Since the Israelites had to leave Egypt very quickly there was no time for bread to rise. All leavened products are removed or covered in most stores and restaurants serve the special flat bread called matzah. Houses are cleaned to remove all traces of leavening and special dishes and utensils are used.
The holiday meal called the “Seder” is celebrated together with family and friends where the story of the departure from Egypt is told-the “Haggadah.” Symbolic and traditional foods are eaten and the meal lasts long into the night. As in Succot the Passover period begins and ends with true holidays where most services are closed and the intermediate days are half-holidays.
Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom HaShoah)
On this day we remember the victims of the Holocaust which took place before and during the Second World War. Not a holiday in the sense of vacation there are special official ceremonies in the evening and during the day. A siren blows at 10:00 am and the whole country stops, including traffic for 2 minutes to pay tribute to the victims. Places of entertainment are closed and many television channels cease broadcasting.
Memorial Day for the Fallen of the Israel Defenses and other fighting groups
In Israel the connection between the price of freedom and independence is never forgotten. Memorial Day is marked by the blowing of a siren in the same way as during Holocaust Memorial Day and with official and private ceremonies of remembrance at military and local cemeteries all over the country. Almost everyone in Israel knows someone who fell in the wars for the freedom of the State of Israel. We share our grief and our pride together, remembering our fallen heroes.
Independence Day
The end of Memorial Day in the evening marks the start of Independence Day. Israelis flock to national parks and forests and barbecue is the food of the day. Some military bases are open to the public and there are flyovers by the Air Force. Public transportation is available and most tourist sites and museums are open. The traffic is amazing as Israelis hit the road to visit the most beautiful and meaningful sites in the country. Flags fly from windows and cars. Official ceremonies mark the start of the day and fireworks are common. Independence Day is one of the most joyous days of the year.
Lag Baomer
Occurring 33 days after Passover the holiday marks the beginning of a harvest season. Traditionally big bonfires are lit around the country and it is a miracle each year that they are kept under control. It is a regular day for work and all services are available.
Shavuot
Shavuot is another of the pilgrimage holidays together with Passover and Succot during which the ancient Jews used to ascend to Jerusalem. It usually falls around the end of May or beginning of June. It is also known as the “time of the giving of the Torah” at Mt. Sinai to Moses. Traditionally dairy foods are eaten and the Book of Ruth is read in synagogues. Shops, businesses, offices and banks are closed and there is no public transportation.
Summer break
Summer sees no Jewish holidays but from about the end of June to the beginning of September school is out and Israelis go on vacation!
Jewish Holidays Calendar
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