There are nine public holidays in Israel in 2023, four of which fall on weekends: Friday and Saturday.
First Day of Passover
Passover, also known as Pesach or the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is one of the major Jewish holidays, and it lasts 7 days from the 15th day to the 21st day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. The first day falls on April 6, 2023, and the last falls on April 12, 2023.
Independence Day
Independence Day, observed on April 26, 2023, commemorates the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948, which corresponds with the Hebrew date 5 Iyar in the Hebrew calendar that year.
Shavuot
Shavuot is one of the 3 major Pilgrimage Festivals: Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. Shavuot marks two religious observances: the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel, and the anniversary of the giving of the Torah by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The holiday falls on May 26, 2023.
Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashanah in Israel, observed on September 16 and 17, 2023, is a two-day celebration, and it commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the civil year, the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, observed on September 25, 2023, is a day of prayer and fasting, so the day before is set aside for eating and preparing for this holy day. It is a holiday to devote with hearts and minds to the relationship with the Divine to purify ourselves and clean all our sins. Other than fasting during the holiday, people do not wear leather shoes and gold jewelry.
First Day of Sukkot
Sukkot, observed on September 30, 2023, is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot) which the Israelites were required to perform a pilgrimage to the Temple. Sukkot is an agricultural festival and it marks the end of harvest time.
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah, observed on October 7, 2023, marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. It is a holiday immediately after the seven-day holiday of Sukkot.
The following is the list of public holidays in Israel 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Passover | Apr 06, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Last Day of Passover | Apr 12, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Apr 26, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Shavuot | May 26, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Rosh Hashana | Sep 16, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Rosh Hashana Holiday | Sep 17, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Yom Kippur | Sep 25, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| First Day of Sukkot | Sep 30, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Simchat Torah | Oct 07, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Israel in 2023.
