High holidays

Where are Israelis escaping to during the holidays? Top destinations seeing a demand surge

Ahead of the High Holy Days, vacation demand has jumped 25%, with Seychelles, Mauritius, and Corfu leading as safety becomes a top traveler priority.

Le Morne Beach, Mauritius.
 A kippah demonstration in front of a synagogue in Berlin

US urges countries to boost security around synagogues ahead of High Holidays

Blowing shofar in Jerusalem's Nahlaot neighborhood

Grapevine: Nahlaot journeys

New Jewish children's books released for the High Holidays in 2026 include ones about awe, tashlich and apologizing for burping.

From fake burps to reverse tashlich, new children’s books bring the High Holidays to life


Rosh Hashana thought: Construction and clarity - opinion

Like street markings before construction, Rosh Hashana’s rituals guide us to clear away the old and lay strong foundations for the year ahead.

Mrs. Nechama Shemtov

Two-thirds of a 15th-century Portuguese High Holiday prayer book were lost to history. Until now.

The Lisbon Mahzor is now complete after the National Library of Israel reclaims its missing parts, preserving a key piece of Jewish history.

The Musaf prayer for Rosh Hashanah in a page of the rare 15th century Lisbon Mahzor now at the National Library of Israel.

Even hosts deserve a holiday: Meet the dishwasher that cleans in Just 4 minutes

MEIKO’s dishwasher makes holiday cleanup easy: 4‑minute wash, water-saving, pro tech for home kitchens. Only downside - price: NIS 25,000.

Dishwasher in three minutes, Nigaa Chef FOR HOME

Labels make you curious. But how is the wine?

Among the many wines that flooded her ahead of the approaching High Holidays, Talia Levin chose to first taste those that looked the best.

Jezreel Valley Winery

Rosh Hashanah proves humanity's need for faith amid religious uncertainty - opinion

Faith and feelings of transcendence, after all, are older than institutions, a deep part of our evolution that existed before priests built temples.

DR. BENJAMIN FENICHEL sounds the shofar on Guadacanal Island, Rosh Hashanah 1943.

Reflecting on 700 days of war in Gaza during Elul means asking ourselves tough questions - opinion

Elul demands that we not shy away from the difficult questions that cannot be avoided in any war, no matter how justified it may be.

THE UN General Assembly votes on a draft resolution demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in June. The world must hold Israel’s enemies accountable for incitement, glorification of violence, and the blood on their hands, says the writer.

New crop of High Holidays children’s books take place in Uganda, Hong Kong and a Sephardic home

A delightful array of new children's books to highlight the depth and the joy of the upcoming High Holidays.

New books out for the High Holidays in 2025 include TK and TK. (Collage by Ilana Zahavy)

Don’t break walls, refresh your routine: How to revitalize your home for the high holidays

Tola Studio designers share tips to refresh your home for Rosh Hashanah with colors, lighting, mirrors, and textiles for a new look without major investment.

Design – Tola Studio

'Sacred Time': Jewish sovereignty, an essential part of our identity

In contrast to religions that emphasize moral degradation, Judaism encourages admitting guilt and regret as a way of self-improvement.

 Author Meir Y. Soloveichik

It's time for the self-interest to be subjugated for the common good - opinion

History and Sukkot teach us that we are a resilient people and that by remaining united and by focusing our energies against our enemies, we will come out of this stronger.

 The writer and his wife, along with some of their children and grandchildren, mark the holiday in the sukkah.