Jewish life · Holidays
The Jewish holidays of the year: a short guide
From the New Year (Rosh Hashanah) to Passover, a walk through the main holidays of the Jewish calendar and their meaning.
The Jewish calendar sets the rhythm of the year with holidays that recall history, creation, and the relationship between the people of Israel and the Torah. Here is a short guide to get your bearings.
A lunar-solar calendar
The Hebrew calendar combines lunar months with adjustments to the solar year. That is why the holidays fall on different Gregorian dates each year, but always in the same season.
The autumn holidays
- Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year, a time of introspection and renewal.
- Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement, the most solemn of the year.
- Sukkot — the festival of booths, recalling the journey through the desert.
- Simchat Torah — the joy of completing and restarting the yearly Torah reading.
From winter to spring
- Hanukkah — the festival of lights, eight days of candles and miracle.
- Purim — the joy of the salvation told in the book of Esther.
- Passover — Pesach, celebrating the exodus from Egypt and freedom.
- Shavuot — the giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Every holiday is an opportunity to study, celebrate, and strengthen the bonds of the community.
If you want to learn the meaning, customs, and foods of each holiday, ask the community assistant or join us to celebrate them.
AI answers based on this article. For practical halacha, consult a rabbi.