Holidays & Festivals

The recent holiday of Tu B'Shevat, which is usually a day of nature and planting, was actually a day of rainy weather this year in Israel, causing many of the usual activities to be postponed or even canceled. Thanks to Odaya, a National Service girl, who...

Many Jewish families around the world have a tradition to have a Tu B'Shevat 'seder', or ceremonial meal. Just as at a Passover seder, symbolic foods are eaten in a special order in celebration of the important role trees play in our life. It's traditional...

It was a very special Chanukah in the emerging Jewish community of Shmaya v'Avtalyon in Armenia, El Salvador, a city not far from the capital, San Salvador.  Beginning with the bar mitzvah of Ariel Guevara, on the first night of Chanukah, where literally lighting the Chanukah...

This year, as always, we were inundated with photos and videos of light and celebration from our communities around the world as they celebrated the holiday of Chanukah.  Some highlights from this year are the many photos we received from emerging communities in Latin America, and...

At the start of Chanukah, Shavei Israel had a guest of honor who gave us a wonderful talk about her personal life and her connection to Judaism. This unique and beautiful person is the famous Spanish-speaking actress Sara Mintz, former student of the Machon Miriam...

The holiday of Sukkot is one of fresh air, family and fun. Jewish people all over the world build special outdoor booths or huts in which to eat and even sleep throughout the week-long holiday. The huts, called sukkot, are typically built of locally-found materials and...

As the holiday of Sukkot approaches, Jewish people all over the world are preparing special outdoor booths or huts in which to eat and even sleep throughout the week-long holiday. Many more photos to come, but here's a peek at early preparations.   [flickrstream id="3"]...

Whether in Chile or Churachanadpur, India, Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, is a sweet yet solemn holiday that signifies family gatherings, prayer services and lots of delicious treats.  People in our communities all over the world were happy to share their photos of pre-Rosh Hashana...

Yaakov, 45, immigrated to Israel about 3 years ago from Colombia because he decided he wanted to convert after attending Torah lessons and praying in the Magen Abraham Jewish community in Cali, Colombia. He contacted Shavei Israel, which, among other things, helps all those who...

If you're looking for authentic Sephardic delicacies for Shavuot, look no further than internet personality 'Sally That Girl In The Kitchen.' Here she shows you how to make authentic Spinach, Feta, and Parmesan Bulemas made with Homemade Dough. Bulemas or Boyus, depending on what town a...