Also known as “Yamim Tovim,” Jewish holidays are sprinkled across the Hebrew Calendar. These festivals are derived from different Jewish origins, and are observed by all who practice the Judaism faith. Because a Jewish day is deemed to begin and end during the sunset, all Jewish holidays start during the evening before the specified date on the calendar. For example, if the dates for Sukkot are listed as October 17-23 for 2017, then the holiday begins at sunset on October 16, and ends at sunset on October 23.
In this section, we have provided a series of educational articles that will explain the origins of the main Jewish holidays celebrated as well as share the Jewish traditions that are observed during each of these holidays. Note that the below list not exhaustive, and there are also other Jewish holidays celebrated which are not listed here.
Please click on each individual Jewish holiday to learn more:
- Rosh Hashanah | Start of the Jewish New Year
- Yom Kippur | Day of Atonement
- Passover | A Celebration of God Liberating the Israelites from Egyptian Bondage
- Shabbat | The Day of Rest at the End of Every Week
- Purim | Holiday of Joy Celebrating the Narrow Escape from Genocide
- Shavuot | Day That the Torah was Given
- Tu Bishvat | New Year for Trees
- Sukkot | Pilgrimage Holiday to Celebrate the Harvest
- Simchat Torah | Rejoicing in the Conclusion of the Cycle of Reading from the Torah
- Hanukkah | Commemorating the Jewish Recapture and Rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem
- Shemini Atzeret | The Eighth Day After the Sukkot