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Jewish Holidays

Jewish Holidays: The Complete Calendar Guide

Jewish Holidays: The Complete Calendar Guide

The Jewish calendar is a rhythm of life, cycling through seasons of joy, introspection, history, and harvest. Unlike the secular calendar, Jewish holidays follow the lunar cycle, meaning their dates on the Gregorian calendar change every year. From the solemnity of Yom Kippur to the carnival joy of Purim, each festival offers a unique opportunity to connect with history, community, and the Divine.

This guide serves as your “Year-at-a-Glance” resource. Whether you are looking for lighting times, recipes, or spiritual insights, click the links below to explore our detailed guides for each festival.

The High Holidays (Yamim Noraim)

The Jewish year begins in the fall (Tishrei) with a period of reflection, repentance, and renewal.

🍎 Rosh Hashanah (The New Year)

Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the universe. It is not a night of parties, but a day of crowning God as King and hearing the call of the Shofar to wake up our souls.

⚖️ Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

Ten days after Rosh Hashanah, we observe the holiest day of the year. It is a 25-hour fast dedicated to forgiveness and spiritual cleansing.

The Three Festivals (Shalosh Regalim)

In ancient times, Jews would travel to the Temple in Jerusalem for these three agricultural and historical festivals.

🌿 Sukkot (Festival of Booths)

Just days after Yom Kippur, we move outside into temporary huts (Sukkot) to recall how God protected us in the desert.

📖 Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah

The season concludes with the wildest joy of the year, celebrating the completion of the Torah reading cycle.

🍷 Passover (Pesach)

In the spring, we celebrate our freedom from Egyptian slavery. This 8-day festival requires significant preparation to remove all leavened bread (Chametz).

⛰️ Shavuot (Festival of Weeks)

Seven weeks after Passover, we celebrate the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is customary to stay up all night learning and to eat dairy foods.

Stories of Survival & Light

🕯️ Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)

Celebrating the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees, Hanukkah brings light into the darkest time of winter.

🎭 Purim

A day of costumes, feasting, and charity, celebrating our salvation from the wicked Haman in ancient Persia.

Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the dates listed in standard calendars. For specific candle lighting times in your city, please consult a local Halachic calendar.