2024 Public Holidays in Israel

Public Holidays in Israel 2024

Israel, a country rich in religious and cultural diversity, observes several public holidays throughout the year. These holidays hold significant religious, historical, and national importance for the people of Israel and are celebrated with various traditions and customs. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the public holidays in Israel for the year 2024, providing detailed descriptions of each holiday along with information on the groups entitled to days off.

New Year’s Day (Rosh Hashanah) – September 2, 2024

Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of the High Holy Days in the Jewish calendar. It is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal, during which Jews worldwide pray for a good and sweet year ahead. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with synagogue services, festive meals, and the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn).

Days off: Rosh Hashanah is a public holiday in Israel, observed by government offices, businesses, and educational institutions, providing a day off for Jewish employees and students.

Yom Kippur – September 11, 2024

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It is a solemn day of fasting, prayer, and repentance, during which Jews seek forgiveness for their sins and reconcile with God. Yom Kippur is observed with synagogue services, fasting from food and drink, and contemplation.

Days off: Yom Kippur is a public holiday in Israel, observed by government offices, businesses, and educational institutions, providing a day off for Jewish employees and students.

Sukkot – October 7-14, 2024

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a week-long harvest festival that commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and their dependence on God’s providence. During Sukkot, Jews build temporary outdoor shelters called sukkahs, where they eat meals and sometimes sleep. It is a time of joy, gratitude, and celebration.

Days off: Sukkot is a public holiday in Israel, observed for the first two days (October 7-8, 2024), providing a day off for Jewish employees and students.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah – October 15-16, 2024

Shemini Atzeret, meaning the “Eighth Day of Assembly,” is a Jewish holiday that follows Sukkot. It is a day of rest and reflection, marked by synagogue services and prayers for rain in the upcoming winter. Simchat Torah, meaning “Rejoicing in the Torah,” immediately follows Shemini Atzeret and celebrates the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings. It is a joyous occasion marked by dancing, singing, and the procession of Torah scrolls.

Days off: Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are public holidays in Israel, observed on October 15-16, 2024, providing a day off for Jewish employees and students.

Hanukkah – December 22-30, 2024

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Seleucid Empire. It is celebrated for eight days and nights, during which Jews light the menorah, exchange gifts, play dreidel (a spinning top game), and enjoy festive foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).

Days off: Hanukkah is not a public holiday in Israel. However, it is widely celebrated by the Jewish community, with some businesses and institutions granting leave or reduced hours for employees to observe the holiday.

Purim – March 24-25, 2024

Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to exterminate them, as recounted in the Book of Esther. It is celebrated with reading the Megillah (Book of Esther), giving to charity, exchanging gifts of food, and dressing up in costumes. Purim is a joyous and festive occasion filled with music, dancing, and feasting.

Days off: Purim is not a public holiday in Israel. However, it is widely celebrated by the Jewish community, with some businesses and institutions granting leave or reduced hours for employees to observe the holiday.

Pesach (Passover) – April 22-30, 2024

Pesach, or Passover, commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days and nights, during which Jews refrain from eating leavened bread (chametz) and instead eat matzah (unleavened bread). The holiday begins with the Seder meal, where the story of the Exodus is retold, and special prayers and rituals are observed.

Days off: Pesach is a public holiday in Israel, observed for the first two days (April 22-23, 2024), providing a day off for Jewish employees and students.

Yom HaShoah – April 29, 2024

Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a solemn day of commemoration for the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. It is observed with ceremonies, memorial services, and educational programs to honor the victims and educate future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust.

Days off: Yom HaShoah is not a public holiday in Israel. However, it is widely observed with solemnity and reflection, with some businesses and institutions granting leave or reduced hours for employees to participate in memorial events.

Yom HaZikaron – May 8, 2024

Yom HaZikaron, or Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism, is a day of national remembrance for those who have died defending Israel or as victims of terrorism. It is observed with ceremonies, memorial services, and moments of silence to honor the fallen and express gratitude for their sacrifice.

Days off: Yom HaZikaron is a public holiday in Israel, observed by government offices, businesses, and educational institutions, providing a day off for Israeli citizens.

Yom HaAtzmaut – May 9, 2024

Yom HaAtzmaut, or Israeli Independence Day, commemorates the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. It is celebrated with festivities, ceremonies, parades, and fireworks displays across the country. Yom HaAtzmaut is a time of national pride and unity, as Israelis celebrate their sovereignty and achievements as a nation.

Days off: Yom HaAtzmaut is a public holiday in Israel, observed by government offices, businesses, and educational institutions, providing a day off for Israeli citizens.

Shavuot – June 12-13, 2024

Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and the harvest season in ancient Israel. It is celebrated with synagogue services, reading the Book of Ruth, and enjoying dairy foods like cheesecake and blintzes. Shavuot is a time of spiritual renewal and gratitude for the Torah and agricultural blessings.

Days off: Shavuot is a public holiday in Israel, observed for the first day (June 12, 2024), providing a day off for Jewish employees and students.

Table: Summary of Public Holidays in Israel 2024