Jewish Holidays

Different astronomical events have been used since Biblical times to establish the Jewish definitions for the hours, days, months, and years. While the Gregorian calendar changes every year (May 25th is on a Monday one year, and a Tuesday the next), Jewish dates are always on the same day.

The Jewish Year is counted from the time of creation, so it is 5783, for the calendar beginning on Rosh Hashanah, which fell on September 26 and 27, 2022, and runs until September 15, 2023. Jewish holidays begin at sunset of the day before the first date shown below.

Another day to mention is the Shabbat, which is the weekly day of rest, lasting 25 hours—from Friday evening, just before sundown, to approximately an hour after sundown on Saturday night—each week.

Holiday Information2022-2023

5783
2023-2024

5784
2024-2025

5785
2025-2026

5786
2026-2027

5786
Rosh Hashanah
The beginning of the Jewish Year; the first of the High Holy days; there are restrictions on work and travel
September 26-27September 16-17October 3-4September 23-24September 12-13
Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement, the most solemn day of the year; there are restrictions on work and travel
October 5September 25October 12October 2September 21
Sukkot
The Festival of Booths, commemorating the 40 years of wandering by the Jews on their way to the Promised Land; there are restrictions on work and travel for the first two days
October 10-11September 30 - October 1October 17-18October 7-8September 26-27
Shemini Atzeret
An additional day at the end of the Sukkot; there are restrictions on work and travel
October 17October 7October 24October 14October 3
Simchat Torah
The Rejoicing of the Torah, celebrating the end of the public reading of the Torah, and introduces the start of another yearlong cycle; there are restrictions on work and travel
October 18October 8October 25October 15October 4
Hanukkah
The Festival of Lights; an 8-day festival celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem
December 19-26December 8-15December 26 - January 2December 15-22December 5-12
Passover
Remembering Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage; there are restrictions on work and travel for the first two and last two days
April 16-23April 6-13April 23-30April 12-19April 2-9
Shavuot
Festival of Weeks, commemorating receiving of the Torah by Moses at Mt. Sinai and the revelation of the Ten Commandments; there are restrictions on work and travel
June 5-6May 27-28June 12-13June 2-3May 22-23

 

Sources: adl.org ; chabad.org ; cdn.fedweb.org