Jewish Holiday Travel Guide
Travelers to Israel in the coming weeks will experience three of the most significant and meaningful Jewish holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Each offers a unique blend of spiritual reflection, communal gathering, and vibrant cultural expression. From the soulful sounding of the shofar on the Jewish New Year to the solemn fasting of Yom Kippur and the joyous outdoor celebrations of Sukkot, this is a special time to witness deep-rooted traditions come alive across the country.
Explore below to learn the exact dates, meanings, celebrations, and what to expect during your visit to Israel during these holidays in 2025.
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Dates in 2025: Sundown September 22 to nightfall September 24.
Meaning: This holiday marks the Jewish New Year and is considered the "birthday of the world," commemorating the creation of Adam and Eve. It is a solemn time of judgment, repentance, and hope for a sweet and positive year ahead.
Traditions & Celebrations: The central ritual is the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn) many times during synagogue services, symbolizing a spiritual wake-up call. People eat symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey for sweetness, round challah representing the cycle of the year, and sometimes the head of a fish or sheep symbolizing leadership. On the first afternoon or second day, many participate in Tashlich by a body of natural flowing water, symbolically casting off sins by throwing pieces of bread or stones into the water. Candle lighting each evening marks the start of the holiday, with special prayers and blessings.
What Tourists Will See: Synagogues will be full, with festive yet reflective atmospheres. Major cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv often hold public gatherings for blowing the shofar. Visitors may witness families preparing traditional meals with festive, symbolic foods. Some communities perform Tashlich at beaches or rivers, which can be a moving cultural ceremony to observe or join.
Special Events: In cities like Jerusalem and Safed, there may be community events including concerts, public shofar blowing, and holiday markets selling traditional foods and holiday crafts. Hotels and restaurants often offer special holiday menus.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
Dates in 2025: Sundown October 1 to nightfall October 2.
Meaning: Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar dedicated to fasting, prayer, and repentance. It is a day to seek forgiveness and spiritual cleansing.
Traditions & Celebrations: Observers fast completely for about 25 hours, refraining from eating, drinking, working, bathing, wearing leather shoes, or using any technology. Most of the day is spent in synagogue services reflecting on sins and asking for atonement. The day concludes with a final long blast of the shofar.
What Tourists Should Expect: Israel essentially shuts down. Public transportation, businesses, and shops are closed, creating an unusually quiet and eerie atmosphere in cities. Streets, highways, and public areas are largely empty. It’s a strictly observed day among most Israelis, and one should plan travel and accommodation accordingly.
Special Events: In Jerusalem, the Western Wall (Kotel) sees large crowds praying intensely during the day and especially during the Ne’ilah closing service. The experience can be deeply spiritual to witness.
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
Dates in 2025: Sundown October 6 to nightfall October 13.
Meaning: Sukkot commemorates the Israelites dwelling in temporary shelters during their 40-year journey in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. It also celebrates the fall harvest.
Traditions & Celebrations: People build and decorate sukkot, temporary booths with leafy roofs, where meals are eaten and some sleep. The first two days are full holidays with restrictions on work; the following days are intermediate days with fewer restrictions. The holiday includes waving the Four Species (etrog, lulav, hadas, aravah) in synagogue and at home as a joyful ritual.
What Tourists Will See: Many homes, synagogues, schools, and public places have beautifully decorated sukkot. In markets and city centers, you may find sukkot set up for public meals or hospitality, where visitors are welcomed. Outdoor communal celebrations with music and dancing happen frequently. It is a lively and joyful time filled with nature, community, and hospitality.
Special Events: In Jerusalem, the Sukkot holiday often features large public celebrations, fairs, and street festivals. The Old City and major squares may have special events highlighting the holiday’s agricultural and historical themes. Tourist sites may have sukkot displays and invite visitors to sample holiday foods.
This expanded guide highlights the spiritual significance, customs, and festive local atmosphere of these holidays along with events tourists can encounter, helping travelers connect meaningfully with Israel’s cultural and religious heritage during these dates
