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Jewish & Israeli Holidays

Celebrations and observances on the Jewish calendar around the world

Pouring oil. Credit: congerdesign/Pixabay.

Latkes and doughnuts for Chanukah? Think oil, but think again

As Jews left country after country, they took their favorite recipes, adapting them for the kosher kitchen and enriching cuisine everywhere they went, including America.

Ethel G. Hofman

Dec. 5, 2024

Chanukiyah with oil candles. Credit: Ri-Ya/Pixabay.

UK Chanukah initiative to ‘shine light’ on hostages in Gaza

“At this time of darkness, we must all shine some light on their plight and pray for their release," said Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Dec. 4, 2024

Jews dance with Torah scrolls during the Simchat Torah celebration in the Mediterranean coastal city of Netanya, north of Tel Aviv, on Oct. 8, 2012. Credit: Jack Guez/AFP/GettyImages.

Rejoice with trembling

A time to mourn and a time to dance.

Rabbi Yossy Goldman

Oct. 22, 2024

Gershon Markowitz builds a sukkah in Jerusalem with grandsons David (left) and Binyamin Tub. Credit: Courtesy.

Bubbe and Zayde: Now’s the time to teach ‘di kinder’ a thing or two

“My grandparents rubbed a Jewish life off on me, and I’m hoping to rub it off on my grandkids,” says 68-year-old Josh Engman.

Deborah Fineblum

Oct. 16, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receives a copy of the "Tanya," an early work of Chassidic philosophy, printed in various places in Lebanon during the First Lebanon War in 1982, Oct. 15, 2024. Credit: Koby Gideon/GPO.

Chabad rabbis give Netanyahu Chassidic text printed in Lebanon

The multi-volume set of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi's "Tanya" was printed during the First Lebanon War in 1982.

JNS Staff

Oct. 16, 2024

Ahead of Sukkot, Israelis shop for "Four Species" at stands set up outside the Machane Yehuda outdoor market in Jerusalem, Oct. 14 , 2024. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Guide for Sukkot 2024

The third of Judaism's pilgrimage festivals kicks off on the evening of Oct. 16.

Oct. 16, 2024

Etrogs on sale at Machane Yehuda outdoor market in Jerusalem, September 2021. Photo by Eliana Rudee.

Heart and soul

A Sukkot message with a powerful story.

Rabbi Yossy Goldman

Oct. 15, 2024

Magen David, or Star of David. Credit: Roman Odinstov/Pexels.

Lamenting, loving, leveling: A spiritual pathway through this year’s Jewish holidays

With all of our differences, have we done enough to make sure that we are encircled—not divided but together as one peoplehood?

Rabbi Avi Weiss

Oct. 15, 2024

Sukkot in Jerusalem, 1979. Photo by Dov Dafnai, KKL Archives.

Rare archival photos document Sukkot in early years of Jewish state

“These images reveal how the traditions of the holiday have been preserved and remain relevant to this day,” said Efrat Sinai, KKL-JNF archives director.

Oct. 15, 2024