Follow us

© 2023 JNS, All Rights Reserved Concept, design & development by RGB Media. Powered by Salamandra

Jewish & Israeli Holidays

Celebrations and observances on the Jewish calendar around the world

Boca Raton Synagogue in Southeast Florida distributed fruits, vegetables, grape juice, wine and other staples prior to the High Holidays, September 2023. Credit: Courtesy.

With kosher prices high, Jewish families get creative prepping for the holidays

On one message board, Orthodox women recommended stretching limited budgets by using cheaper cuts of meat to make pulled beef, and or using fewer and smaller pieces of chicken in dishes with rice.

September 29, 2023

Etrog. Credit:/Pixabay.

‘Be friendly’ and prepare to explain lulav and etrog, Sukkot travelers advise

“We were a little nervous about it, but thankfully, it worked out very well,” one traveler told JNS.

September 29, 2023

Ethiopian Jews put up a sukkah for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Credit: Courtesy of Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jews.

Sukkot’s added meaning in Gondar

For most Ethiopian Jews, the one sukkah available to them becomes a symbol of unity among families that is shared and celebrated each year.

September 28, 2023

A sukkah built by members of the Bnei Menashe community in northeastern India, September 2021. Credit: Shlomo Kipgen, courtesy of Shavei Israel.

Sukkah vs. skyscraper?

Sometimes, we find strength in our vulnerability.

Rabbi Yossy Goldman

September 27, 2023

Secular and religious Jews argue at Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv, Sept. 24, 2023. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.

Religion and politics clash on Yom Kippur in Tel Aviv

The secular-Orthodox divide has grown wider.

Etgar Lefkovits

September 26, 2023

People participate in the Jerusalem March during the intermediate days of Sukkot, October 2022. Photo by Lior Deskal.

Tens of thousands to take part in Jerusalem March during Sukkot

Pilgrims from 90 nations to be represented on Oct. 4.

September 26, 2023

The Ayalon Highway (Highway 20) from Tel Aviv to Ramat Gan, devoid of cars on Yom Kippur. Credit: Roy Boshi via Wikimedia Commons.

My prayer for Yom Kippur 5784

I hope that we, as a people, wake up and see the big picture, and understand that the evil intentions of our enemies are much more lethal to our existence than anything that can divide us.

September 22, 2023

Artificial intelligence. Credit: Geralt/Pixabay.

There’s no ChatGPT for Yom Kippur

Doing the work reminds us that as long as we’re alive, we have the opportunity to make different choices and pursue new paths.

Rabbi Rachel Bovitz

September 21, 2023

A seasonal sukkah on view at the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center in Or-Yehuda, Israel. Credit: Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center.

This Sukkot, Sarah Sassoon will celebrate in an Iraqi sukkah, with Czech candlesticks

The Israeli writer, who comes from a prominent Iraqi family, is working on two new books about Jews of Babylonian ancestry.

September 21, 2023