The most important religious holidays:
• Shabbat: The seventh day of the week, which is a day of rest
• Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year
• Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement, when the high priest confessed the sins of the people and offered sacrifice in the Temple. Today a day of fasting, prayer, and worship, when you ask God and fellow human beings for forgiveness
• Sukkot: The Feast of Tabernacles commemorates the desert journey from Egypt to Canaan
• Simchat Torah: Feast of joy over the law when you dance with the Torah scrolls
• Hanukkah: Commemorates Judas Maccabeus’ rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem
• Tu Bishvat: The New Year of Trees
• Purim: Celebrated in memory of Queen Esther, who saved the Jews from the evil plans of Haman
• Pesach: (The Passover), celebrated in memory of the rescue from the angel of death at the exodus from Egypt
• Shavuot: Harvest festival and celebration of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai
• Tisha B’Av: Fast day commemorating how both the first and second temples were destroyed on this day

Other Israeli holidays and commemorations
– Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Remembrance Day
– Yom Hazikaron: Day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism
– Yom Ha’atzmaut: Israel’s Independence Day
– Yom Yerushalayim: Jerusalem Day, commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem
– Yom HaAliyah: Celebrated to honor those who immigrate to Israel
– November 30: a modern National Day of Remembrance for those who fled neighbouring
Arab countries and Iran when the state of Israel was proclaimed, and for the flight and
suffering of these Jews.