Posted by What Jewish Holiday Is Today? Jewish holidays are special days yearly that celebrate important events in Jewish history, culture, and religion. These holidays have different meanings and ways of being celebrated, ranging from joyous celebrations to solemn memories.
September / October
Rosh Hashanah
It’s the Jewish New Year, a time to be with family and reflect on the past and the future. This usually happens in September or October.
Yom Kippur: About 10 days after Rosh Hashanah, this is a very important day for saying sorry and fasting. It is a quiet, serious day.
Sukkot: Falls 5 days after Yom Kippur and lasts for a week. People build special huts to eat and sometimes to sleep in, recalling how the ancient Jews traveled in the desert.
Shemini Atzret/Simchat Torah: Right after Sukkot, this holiday celebrates the ending and beginning of the Torah (Jewish holy book) reading cycle.
November/December
Hanukkah: An eight-day festival with candles, games, and special foods. He remembers a miracle long ago when oil that was supposed to last only one day burned for eight days.
What Jewish Holiday Is Today in February/March
Purim: A joyous day with costumes, parties, and giving food to friends. It celebrates a story where the Jewish people were saved from danger.
March/April
Passover (Pesach): A major holiday that lasts about a week. Families have a special meal called a seder and eat matzah to remember how the Jewish people escaped slavery in Egypt.
Yom Hashoah: A day to remember the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust.
April/May
Yom Hazikaron: Israel’s day to remember soldiers and people who died due to violence.
Yom HaAtzmaut: Israel’s Independence Day, celebrating the day Israel became a nation.
May/June
Lag BaOmer: A day for outdoor activities and bonfires, commemorating a famous rabbi and a respite during sad times.
Shavuot: Celebrates the time when the Jewish people received the Torah. People often study and eat dairy foods.
What Jewish Holiday Is Today in July/August
Tisha B’Av: A sad day of fasting, remembering when the two main temples were destroyed.
August/September
Tu B’Av: A joyful, modest holiday often about love and community.”
FAQs
What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It takes place in September or October. It’s a time when families come together, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the new one.
What happens in Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is about 10 days after Rosh Hashanah. This is a very important day for saying sorry and not eating (fasting) for a day. It is a quiet and serious time for reflection and prayer.
What are Shemini Atzerit and Simchat Torah?
This holiday falls right after Sukkot. Shemini Atzret/Simchat Torah is about ending the annual cycle of reading the Torah (Jewish holy book) and starting it all over again.
What is special about Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is an eight-day festival in November or December that includes candles, games, and special foods.
What is Purim?
Purim is a joyous day in February or March with costumes, parties, and food distribution.