JEWISH HOLIDAYS & YIZKOR DATES 2026
Generally we celebrate those holidays marked with an asterisk with a community get together. If you would like to host one of these events, please let me know so I can keep the group informed. Holiday get togethers don't have to occur on the date of the holiday. (The High Holy Days between Rosh Hashana and Simchat Torah can be combined into one get together between those dates).
15 SHEVAT
Monday, February 2, 2026
On the Jewish calendar this day marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees.
PURIM *
Begins sunset of Monday, March 2, 2026
Ends nightfall of Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the wicked Haman in the days of Queen Esther of Persia.
PASSOVER
Yizkor is recited on Passover, Thursday, April 9
Begins sunset of Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Ends nightfall of Thursday, April 9, 2026
Passover (Pesach) celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.
LAG B'OMER
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Lag BaOmer is a festive day on the Jewish calendar, celebrating the anniversary of the passing of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. It also commemorates the end of a plague that raged amongst the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva. On Lag BaOmer the dying ceased.
SHAVUOT *
Yizkor is recited on Shavuot, Saturday, May 23
Begins sunset of Thursday, May 21, 2026
Ends nightfall of Saturday, May 23, 2026
Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai.
THE THREE WEEKS
Thursday, July 2, 2026 through Thursday, July 23, 2026
Fast of the 17th of Tammuz - July 2, 2026
Fast of Tish'a B'Av - July 22 - 23, 2026
The “Three Weeks” and Tisha B’Av are designated as a time of mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple and the galut (exile).
ROSH HASHANAH *
Begins sunset of Friday, September 11, 2026
Ends nightfall of Sunday, September 13, 2026
Rosh Hashanah, first of the High Holidays, is the Jewish New Year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and a day of judgment and coronation of G‑d as king.
YOM KIPPUR *
Yizkor is recited on Yom Kippur, Monday, September 21
Begins sunset of Sunday, September 20, 2026
Ends nightfall of Monday, September 21, 2026
Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, when we fast, pray, seek forgiveness from G-d and our fellows, and come closer to G-d. It is the peak of the High Holidays.
SUKKOT *
Begins sunset of Friday, September 25, 2026
Ends nightfall of Friday, October 2, 2026
Hoshanah Rabbah - October 2, 2026
The seven days of Sukkot—celebrated by dwelling in the sukkah, taking the Four Kinds, and rejoicing—is the holiday when we expose ourselves to the elements in covered huts, commemorating G‑d's sheltering our ancestors as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Four Kinds express our unity and our belief in G‑d’s omnipresence. Coming after the solemn High Holidays, it is a time of joy and happiness
SHEMINI ATZERET & SIMCHAT TORAH
Yizkor is recited on Saturday, October 3
Begins sunset of Friday, October 2, 2026
Ends nightfall of Sunday, October 4, 2026
Following the seven joyous days of Sukkot, comes the happy holiday known as Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah.
CHANUKAH *
Begins sunset of Friday, December 4, 2026
Ends nightfall of Saturday, December 12, 2026
Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a group of Jewish warriors defeated the occupying mighty Greek armies.
FAST OF TEVET 10
Begins sunrise of Sunday, December 20, 2026
Ends nightfall of Sunday, December 20, 2026
On the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 425 BCE the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem and is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance.
MISHABERACH
Jewish prayer for healing. Appropriate to say at any time
May the one who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bless and heal those who are ill (recite names). May the Blessed Holy One be filled with compassion for their health to be restored and their strength to be revived. May God swiftly send them a complete renewal of body and spirit, and let us say, Amen
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