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World Jewish Travel Official August 3, 2023

6 Iconic Israeli Summer Festivals You Can’t Miss in August | Shayna Michael

[caption id="attachment_51016" align="alignnone" width="640"] A man playing the violin or fiddle on the streets – Photo by William Recinos on Unsplash[/caption] Looking to experience Israeli culture this summer? Well look no further because we have organized a guide to some of the hottest festivals taking place around the country. Being the salat that it is, Israel definitely doesn’t lack diversity. The “Hummus Nation” has something to offer everyone- even if you’re allergic to sesame. Written by a falafel-enthusiast and Jerusalem local, World Jewish Travel’s guide to music, art, wine and dance festivals is your go-to for the most authentic taste of this colorful country this summer. Jerusalem Food Truck Festival July 4 - Aug 28, 2023 [caption id="attachment_51010" align="alignnone" width="640"] A man playing the violin or fiddle on the streets – Photo by William Recinos on Unsplash[/caption] Kicking off the summer festivities, the food festival brings us top chefs from the leading restaurants across the city cooking and serving their mouth-watering dishes in food trucks every evening at Ben Hinnom Valley Park. Nothing beats a festive culinary atmosphere with live music led by leading bands and DJs. The venue is accessible and all of the food is kosher. Head over to the festival's page for more information. Tel Aviv Dance Festival at the Suzanne Dellal Center July 18-Aug 3, 2023 [caption id="attachment_51011" align="alignnone" width="640"] Dancers performing on stage – Photo by Vadim Fomenok on Unsplash[/caption] This festival is a vibrant celebration of contemporary dance. Captivating performances offer a fusion of creativity, innovation, and talent. As dancers take to the stage in the state-of-the-art facilities of the Suzanne Dellal Center, the festival becomes a melting pot of cultures and artistry, reflecting Tel Aviv’s position as a global hub for artistic brilliance. Don’t forget to book your tickets online in advance! Find out more. Jerusalem Wine Festival July 31 - August 2nd, 2023 [caption id="attachment_51012" align="alignnone" width="640"] A group of filled wine glasses – Photo by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash[/caption] An intoxicating celebration of Israel’s rich wine culture, this annual event is held in the historical old city and gathers wine enthusiasts to sample an impressive selection of locally produced wines. The festival offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity. You can savor the finest vintages while immersing yourself in Jerusalem’s magical atmosphere. Check out the event. Karmiel Dance Festival August 1- 3, 2023 [caption id="attachment_51014" align="alignnone" width="640"] Dancers on stage in cultural apparel – Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash[/caption] This event attracts dancers and performers from all over the world, offering a mesmerizing array of traditional and contemporary dance styles. Set in the scenic beauty of Karmiel, the festival’s stages come alive with captivating performances, celebrating the artistry of diverse dance traditions. Whether you are a dance enthusiast or just seeking an immersive cultural experience, the Karmiel Dance Festival is an unforgettable journey through the rhythms of the global dance community. Read more. Hutzot Hayotzer (Artists’ Colony) Festival August 7 – 19th, 2023 [caption id="attachment_51013" align="alignnone" width="640"] Live musical performance with energized crowd – Photo by Abigail Lynn on Unsplash[/caption] Held at the Sultan’s Pool near the ancient walls of the Old City, this Jerusalem favorite offers a colorful array of visual arts, crafts, local cuisine and live performances that captivate visitors from all walks of life. With over 150 artists participating, you can explore a diverse range of exquisite handmade works, from pottery and jewelry to paintings and sculptures and end the night with a live concert! Click for more. Safed Klezmer Festival August 22 – 24, 2023 [caption id="attachment_51015" align="alignnone" width="640"] Musicians on colorful stage performing with their instruments – Photo by Jens Thekkeveettil on Unsplash[/caption] To wrap up your eventful August, head up north for a lively and soul-stirring celebration of traditional Jewish music and culture. In the charming hilltop city known for its spiritual significance, the air comes alive with the enchanting melodies of klezmer music, echoing through the narrow streets and mystical alleyways. The Safed Klezmer Festival stands as a testament to the enduring heritage of Jewish music and its ability to unite people in a celebration of tradition, history, and harmony. For more on this festival. We hope you enjoyed our guide for Israel’s summer festivals in 2023. We’ll see you this summer!  

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World Jewish Travel Official August 2, 2022

From Rosh Hashanah to Sukkot: Bringing in the Jewish New Year!

According to Jewish tradition, the beginning of the year is not brought in by a countdown at midnight on January 1st.  No, for the Jewish people the New Year is brought in by a series of high holidays all with specific rituals used to mark this special time.  These holidays are Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.  There are also additional holiday traditions during this time of year.  Rituals like saying Selichot prayers or hearing the shofar blast during the feast of the tabernacles.  The Jewish Near Year clears the air for the community. It grounds the Jewish people in their history, dealing with the mistakes of their past, and looking ahead towards a better future.  Apples and Honey for a Sweet Rosh Hashanah The holiest month of the Jewish calendar begins with the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, literally translated as “Head of the Year.”  For two days the Jewish people honour and acknowledge God as the creator of the universe.  The holiday also pays homage to God’s first human creations, Adam and Eve.  In preparation for the holiday, the shofar is blown every weekday morning a month before and through the two days.  Other than sounds, Rosh Hashanah is a high holiday with tons of rituals and symbols that focus on food.  The food eaten during these days usually follows a sweet theme.  These can be things like honey cakes, challah with raisins, and dates.  However the most well known of these food traditions is dipping apples in honey.  This is one of Judaism’s oldest eating rituals.  Some scholars believe that the practice dates back hundreds of years.  Eating the two sweet foods together acts as a wishful prayer for the sweetness in the coming year. Divine Prayers of Forgiveness for the Jewish People After flattering God as the king of the universe, the Jewish New Year continues with asking for God’s divine forgiveness.  The main day to ask for this forgiveness is on Yom Kippur.  However, in the days leading up to Yom Kippur (for some communities even before Rosh Hashanah) it is customary to recite selichot.  Selichot are prayers for forgiveness that are recited by the Jewish people together in large gatherings.  While they are usually said on fast days they can be used to bring in significant events.  The prayers are taken from well-known biblical verses but are given a poetic edge.  If you are in Jerusalem during the High Holiday season take a trip down to the Kotel on September 12th.  You’ll see hundreds reciting selichot prayers in the plaza.  There are seventeen different selichot events happening at the Kotel.  They start around midnight so be sure to take a disco nap beforehand and bring a facemask! The Worst/Best Day of the Jewish New Year In order, the next official Jewish Holiday on the calendar after Rosh HaShanah is Yom Kippur.  The Day of Atonement is celebrated through fasting.  The night before what is known as Erev Yom Kippur, Jews around the world have their last meal.  They will not eat again until the end of the following day.  In between meals, Jewish people around the world crowd into their local synagogue for an entire day of prayer.  They directly ask God for the forgiveness of their sins or directly apologize to those they have wronged.   At the end of the day the shofar blasts signal that it is time to eat, and oh, what a feast is prepared.  It is traditional for many Jewish communities to serve a lot of dairy dishes for the break fast meal.  Dishes like bagels with cream cheese and lox, blintzes, kugel, and tons and tons of cakes, especially cheesecake.  After a day of fasting for the sins of an entire year people reward their stomachs and start the year off right with their families.     The Jewish Holiday That Requires Camping The family time only gets more intense from here on out.  After Rosh Hashanah, Selichot, and Yom Kippur finally comes Sukkot.  This Jewish Holiday is celebrated to remember the Israelites' time in the desert after they fled Egypt.  It is during the seven days of Sukkot that the Jewish people remember God’s kindness during those forty years in the desert.  Christians also mark this time with an event known as the Feast of Tabernacles.  Thousands of Christians flock to the Kotel every fall to hear the sound of the shofar marking the holiday.  For the Jewish people, this piece of history is honoured by recreating a desert hut in every Jewish household, known as the sukkah. The Sukkah is a simple hut made of at least two walls, with a thatched roof of palm leaves or a simple tarp.  It can be decorated with all sorts of plants, vines, fruits, and even the artwork of the family children.  However a sukkah is not a sukkah without a sechach.  This is a covering for the walls of the sukkah so that there is enough shade during the day.  In Israel, almost every household has a balcony space where the sukkah is put up.  During sukkot a good portion of Jerusalem eats and sleeps inside of the sukkah.  Every day each family must shake the “four kinds” while reciting a prayer.  The “four kinds” are a palm branch, two willows, three myrtles, and one citron, known as the etrog. From Rosh Hashanah to Sukkot: Connecting to the Source  The Jewish New Year is a topsy turvy time in the life of a Jewish community.  It’s New Years but people are guilty, they may be hungry but still happy to fast a whole twenty-four hours.  Despite the challenges and endless preparations, the High Holidays are a joyful time for family and community.  They are rooted in some of Judaism’s most ancient history and beliefs.  One whole month dedicated to the Jewish people building and strengthening their relationship with God and one another.

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Hotels in Central Region

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