Nowruz Spring Equinox Festival

Celebrate the Nowruz Spring Equinox Festival

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is a vibrant celebration that marks the arrival of spring and a new beginning. Rooted in themes of renewal, unity, and gratitude, this time-honored festival brings people together to embrace shared cultural connections and celebrate the beauty of life. The traditions of Nowruz, including setting the symbolic Haft-Seen table, enjoying festive dishes like sabzi polo ba mahi (herbed rice with fish), and exchanging gifts with loved ones, create a joyous atmosphere filled with hope and reflection. This festival’s universal themes resonate across cultures, fostering understanding and reinforcing the bonds of community.

This year, the Museum of Jewish Heritage invites you to join their Nowruz celebration, highlighting shared cultural histories and the powerful message of unity the festival conveys. Experience the richness of Nowruz through storytelling, traditional music, and hands-on activities for all ages. Whether you’re exploring the historical significance of Nowruz or simply looking to enjoy its vibrant traditions, this event offers a unique opportunity to come together and honor the spirit of renewal and togetherness.

“Hallowed Lives” concert

In honor of the 7,000 Polish heroes who rescued Jewish people during the war and received
Israel’s highest award for non-Jews – The Righteous Among the Nations
Join us for this free classical concert. Honor the memory of these Polish heroes and the
Jewish people they rescued.

Name: “Hallowed Lives” concert
Date: Saturday, 27 August 2022
Time: 17:00
Address:
KZ
Sienna 68/70, 00-824 Warszawa, Poland
Admission Free, Free Classical Concert

Hannukah Lighting and Celebration

Chabad of the Central Cascades is dedicated to providing, an open door environment for strengthening and enhancing Jewish values and identity to All people, regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment. Chabad serves individuals and families looking for a non-judgmental, accepting, personalized Jewish experience. Families across the Hudson Valley can now now get into the Chanukah spirit with community lighting ceremonies and celebrations. Find a Hanukkah event near you!

Shavout in Safed

Shavouth/Shavous is one of Judaism’s most important holidays. It is one of the three pilgrimage holidays (the others are Succot and Passover) for which Jews once traveled to Jerusalem and the Temple to bring offerings. Historically, Shavouth commemorates the day when God gave the Torah to the Children of Israel at Mt. Sinai and religiously marks the end of the Counting of the Omer. One of the most widely-observed customs of Shavouth involves staying up throughout the night to study Torah. This tradition was instituted by the ARI, Rabbi Isaac Luria, when he lived in Tzfat in the 16th century.

There are additionally a wide range of English classes on Shavouth night throughout Tzfat neighborhoods. Local accommodations are available throughout the city, including the Old Jewish Quarter, the Artist Quarter, and the newer Tzfat neighborhoods.

Image attribution: Heritage conservation picture Project – Safed Pikiwiki Israel, CC BY 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons

Adloyada Purim Parades

The Adloyada Parades

These parades are by far the most celebrated events in Israel for the Purim holiday as well as the most historic. The first parade took place in Tel Aviv in 1912 and from that point on have been a staple of the Purim holiday in Israel.

The Amaraic phrase that gave birth to the name Adloyada is “Ad Delo Yada” roughly translated as “until no one longer knows.” Traditionally you must get so drunk on Purim that you can no longer tell the difference between the names Haman and Mordecai. These names look completely different in the Megillah so you have got to be pretty wasted.

The Adloyada parades not only consist of people but some fairly elaborate floats. In the past, these floats paid homage to the history and culture of Israel. Some designs included giant Ben Gurion heads reading Israel’s declaration of independence or the twelve tribes of Israel.

Today, the floats reflect a more modern touch of Israeli culture. The criteria are outlandish, colorful, and loud. DJs and musicians from across the nation come to spin their records and blast their horns from atop the floats. The overarching theme is diversity and difference, which can be seen in each and every float and every Purim costume.

Purim Zombie-Walk in Tel Aviv

Purim Zombie-Walk

The Annual Zombie-Walk in Tel Aviv was created to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim. During this holiday, many have the custom to dress up in costume and take part in marches, feasts, and parades. While many parades have a more general costume requirement, this parade encourages all its participants to dress as zombies!

Participants dressed in a Zombie Purim Costume

In previous years, nearly 4,000 zombie participants paraded down the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel for the zombie-walk. The walk is organized entirely by volunteers and is open to all that wish to participate, so it is encouraged to bring as many friends and family members as you wish. They say that the more bloody and nasty your zombie costume is, the better! This year, the walk will take place March 18.

Dirshu World Siyum

Millions of dafim, millions of tests, endless hours of ameilus and dedication, will all culminate at the World Siyumim held in 7 locations across the globe. Throughout the limud of shas over 25,000 lomdim immersed themselves in the world of gemara with the Dirshu system of accountability, to ensure that they truly retain the knowledge they acquire. Gedolei Yisroel, Rabbonim, family members of the Dirshu lomed and yidden from all walks of life will join in an uplifting celebration of Ameilus B’Torah. Be in the moment, be inspired forever.

Dirshu is an Orthodox Jewish international organization whose goal is to strengthen and encourage Torah study. Founded in 1997, the organization produces study cycles, sponsors shiurim (Torah lectures), furnishes and grades tests, and offers financial incentives to individuals and groups to learn and master Talmud, Halakha, and Mussar texts. It has also published new editions of traditional Jewish texts, and sponsored major gatherings to celebrate the completion of its study cycles. As of 2018, more than 150,000 people have participated in its programs, which have spread to 26 countries on five continents.

Participation in the siyumim (celebrations of completion) of the various programs is on the rise around the globe. In 2012, Dirshu held a small Siyum HaShas in New York. In 2020, the organization planned 11 separate Siyum HaShas events. These include three events for a total of 20,000 attendees in the U.S., two events for 15,000 in Israel (Jerusalem and Tel Aviv), two events for 5,000 in Manchester, England; and siyumim in Paris, France; Cape Town, South Africa; Minsk, Belarus; and Pinsk, Belarus, which attracted thousands more.

2022 Live Stream from Israel

2022 Live Stream from Paris

2020 Live Stream from the USA

2020 Live Stream from Manchester

Christmas Market in Jerusalem

Celebrating Christmas in the holy city is a unique experience. The Old City’s Christian and Armenian quarters become decorated while the city’s churches celebrate the holiday by holding Christmas services.

The Church of the Nativity will be holding numerous Christmas services.

For more information about Christmas events in Israel, read Christmas in Bethlehem, Christmas in Nazareth, and Christmas in Tel Aviv-Jaffa.

For more information about Christmas in Israel, read our blog: Christmas in Israel: Decking the Halls of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jaffa, and Nazareth.

Christmas Market in Bethlehem

Celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem is an unforgettable experience as the city is believed to be where Jesus was born 2000 years ago. A Christmas tree rises in the Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity.

The Church of the Nativity will be holding numerous services leading up to the Christmas Mass that will be held on Christmas eve.

For more information about Christmas events in Israel, read Christmas in Nazareth, Christmas in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and Christmas in Jerusalem.

For more information about Christmas in Israel, read our blog: Christmas in Israel: Decking the Halls of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jaffa, and Nazareth.

Christmas Market in Nazareth

Christmas Market in Nazareth

​​Where better to spend Christmas in Israel than in the hometown of Jesus Christ? Christmas in Nazareth, held each December and centered around Mary’s Well Square, is reminiscent of Europe’s famed Christmas markets. The season opens with the lighting of one of the Middle East’s largest Christmas trees.

Stalls fill the historic plaza, selling handmade ornaments, embroidered tablecloths, spice blends, and sweets that disappear before you’ve made it to the next booth. Visitors can dive into the flavors of the Middle East with popular treats like knafeh, a cheesy dessert soaked in orange blossom syrup, or ma’amoul, date or nut-filled cookies dusted with powdered sugar. It may not be a white Christmas, but the chilly Nazareth nights make for a perfect place to taste sahlab; a thick, warm pudding drink with cinnamon and nuts.

A short walk from the market is the Basilica of the Annunciation, with its bells singing over the city. Locals, Arab Christian families, pilgrims, and tourists alike come out for a chance to experience holiday cheer in the heart of Israel, where Christmas has been celebrated for centuries. Whether you’re watching the parade or attending Midnight Mass at the Basilica, you’re sure to enjoy the friendly and festive atmosphere here.

🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India. 

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

...

40 2
Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

 Link is in our bio

#VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel  #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem

...

18 0
Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem's underground. Unveil the city's secrets from home. 🌌

Find link in our bio

#JerusalemUnderground #CitySecrets #ExploreHistory #JewishTravel #Israel #Travel #WesternWall

...

19 2