High holidays

Israelis return to booking vacations early: These are the destinations gaining popularity

Crete, Rhodes, Batumi, and Budapest lead bookings for the High Holy Days as average airfares remain 6% below last year, for now.

Margaret Island in Budapest.
The largest kosher slaughterhouse in the United States is located in Postville, Iowa and has been renamed AgriStar.

Fire at kosher meat processing plant in Iowa shuts down production ahead of High Holidays

RUTH JOINS her mother-in-law, Naomi, in traveling to the Land of Israel, while Orpah turns back to Moab after accompanying them for a stretch. King David will descend from Ruth, and Goliath from her sister-in-law.

'From Alienation to Monarchy': Ruth and the architecture of loving-kindness - book review

The new “Gold Gift Card” app.

Voice dedications and videos: Shufersal launches app for redeeming the Gold Gift Card


The sounds of the High Holidays in Ofakim

Shuki, a participant in JDC's "Meshiv HaRuach" programs in Ofakim, blows the shofar.

Year after the horror: Rekindling Jewish identity in the wake of tragedy

In the face of unspeakable violence and global hatred, the Jewish people confront their identity, mission, and resilience, guided by faith, history, and the promise of a brighter future in 5785.

 Rabbi Sholom Lipskar.

Rosh Hashanah: A time to recognize Israel's achievements amid challenges - opinion

A rabbi urges Jews to recognize Israel's military and diplomatic achievements this New Year, balancing acknowledgment of challenges with pride in recent successes.

 An illustrative photo of a man blowing a shofar, a ceremonial ram's horn, which is done repeatedly on Rosh Hashanah.

Shofar shortage? War impacts Jerusalem seller as shipping delays, costs spike

This year has been challenging for Refoua, who sells Judaica gifts and souvenirs in a shop in downtown Jerusalem. The war has decimated tourism and spiked shipping costs.

 Jan-Elazar Refoua in his shop in Jerusalem, in front of pictures of three of his sons who are serving in reserves (Marc Israel Sellem)

For a Jewish world in despair, we need High Holiday prayers that meet the moment - opinion

This new year demands that we never forget that mutual responsibility — the idea that all Jews everywhere belong to each other — isn’t a burden but a blessing.

 This year, writes Alex Weiser, the standard liturgy has to stand up against incredible sadness.

From Hostages Square, high holiday prayers aim to transcend Israel’s fractured politics

A musical Selichot service in Hostages Square united Israelis from across the political spectrum, focusing on prayers for hostages’ return while maintaining a neutral, non-political space

 Rabba Anat Sharbat leads Selichot services in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, Sept. 22, 2024.

The year after October 7 will be better – opinion

Our lessons from a year of disaster.

A resident clears debris following the October 7 attack by Hamas in Kibbutz Be’eri. For many generations to come, 5784 will be remembered as a year of catastrophe.

Grapevine: September 25, 2024: A symbol of light and loss

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

An apples-and-honey event for President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal.

Rosh Hashanah: Your guide to the Jewish new year holiday - explainer

Rosh Hashanah kicks off the Jewish calendar year and starts the High Holy Days and the Days of Repentance. Here is everything you need to know about it.

 An illustrative photo of a man blowing a shofar, a ceremonial ram's horn, which is done repeatedly on Rosh Hashanah.

This year’s High Holiday kids’ books are a celebration of Jewish diversity

Here’s your roundup of new children’s High Holidays books for 2024.

 This year’s High Holiday books for kids.