This Jewish Holiday Calendar for Kosher Cooks contains 2009-2010 Gregorian calendar dates for the major Jewish holidays and links to traditional menus and recipes for each holiday.
The Jewish calendar begins with Rosh Hashana (New Years), which occurs in September or October. Thus, the Jewish Year straddles two years of the civil calendar.
The Jewish day begins and ends at sundown. Thus, all holidays begin at sundown of the day preceding the date shown and end at sundown of the (last) day shown.
Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the date listed.
The Jewish calendar begins with Rosh Hashana (New Years), which occurs in September or October. Thus, the Jewish Year straddles two years of the civil calendar.
The Jewish day begins and ends at sundown. Thus, all holidays begin at sundown of the day preceding the date shown and end at sundown of the (last) day shown.
Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the date listed.
1. Rosh Hashanah (New Years): September 19-20, 2009 (Sat.-Sun.)
Giora Shimoni
On the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, Jews eat foods that symbolize good things they hope for in the coming year. Apples and honey hint of a sweet year, while fish hints at a prosperous year to come. Learn about Rosh Hashanah food traditions, get ideas for Rosh Hashanah menus, and find Rosh Hashanah recipes.
2. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): September 28, 2009 (Mon.)
Giora Shimoni
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year. While Jews observe a strict fast on Yom Kippur day, there are traditions regarding food eaten before (Meal of Cessation, Seudat Mafseket) and after the fast (Break Fast).
3. Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles): October 3-9, 2009 (Sat.-Fri.)
Giora Shimoni
During the harvest and pilgrimage festival of Sukkot (Judaism's Feast of Tabernacles), Jews eat in temporary huts like the ancient Israelites did in the desert after the Exodus. Given the colorful surroundings of each booth (sukkah) and the harvest theme, Sukkot recipes include lots of fruits and vegetables. Stuffed vegetables, symbolic of a bountiful harvest, are traditionally served.
4. Hanukkah: December 12-19, 2009 (Sat.-Sat.)
Giora Shimoni
While potato pancakes (levivot or latkes) and jelly doughnuts (sufganiot) are the most popular Hanukkah treats, there are many more delicious traditional and contemporary Jewish holiday recipes that can add flavor to your Hanukkah celebration.
5. Purim: February 28, 2010 (Sun.)
Giora Shimoni
Purim is a joyous festival during which Jewish children dress up in costumes to listen to the Scroll of Esther read in synagogue, food baskets (Shlach Manos) filled with special Purim pastries such as Hamantashen (Oznai Haman) are exchanged, and a special Purim feast (Seudat Purim) is shared with family and friends.
6. Pesach (Passover): March 30-April 6, 2010 (Tues.-Tues.)
Giora Shimoni
Jewish cooks worldwide and over the centuries have sought ways to create food for Passover that is tasty despite the extra kosher restrictions placed on food during this weeklong holiday. These kosher-for-Passover recipes are the fruits of their labor.
7. Shavuot (Pentecost): May 19-20, 2010 (Wed.-Thurs.)
Giora Shimoni
Shavuot, the Feast of the Weeks, is the Jewish holiday celebrating the harvest season in Israel and the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. It is customary to eat dairy food on Shavuot. Enjoy these recipes for everything from cheese blintzes to lasagna to cheesecake.
