Festivities, Holidays and Traditions in Jersusalem

Purim

In March there is this holiday, Purim, which is basically reading the story in the Book of Esther wearing masks and fancy dresses, but also exchanging gifts, and of course a festive meal with some cookies called hamantaschen.  

Passover

The Passover or Pesach is a celebration of the freedom of the Jews from the slavery in Egypt. Usually it happens in April and people celebrate it with a meal called seder and reading parts of the book Hagadah and matzah.

 

Lag B’omer

Happening 33 days after the passover, it conmemorates the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and also the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman Empire. You’ll find bonfires and barbacues, people celebrating and festing.

 

Muslim holidays

You can also experience while in Jerusalem some Muslim holidays. In the Eastern part of the city is where most of the Muslim population lives. Most of them celebrate the month-long fast of Ramadan, and also the culmination of it, the three-day celebration Eid ul-Fitr. But you can also find other Muslim experiences like the Laylat al-Miraj, Eid Al-Adha, Ashura and the Islamic New Year.   

 

New’s Year Eve

Following the Gregorian calendar, you an celebrate New’s Year Eve in Jerusalem as well. You can enjoy in the main clubs and bars, have an amazing and tasty dinner at many places etc… In Israeli the day is called Sylvester, so it is a way to distinguish it from the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah.