Holiday guide
Yom HaZikaron
Yom HaZikaron is Israel's memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, deliberately placed the day before Independence Day so that grief and celebration touch.
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Israel or the diaspora?
Primarily an Israeli state day, marked in many diaspora communities with ceremonies.
On the ground
What happens in Israel
Two sirens, one in the evening and one the following morning. Ceremonies at every military cemetery, and the transition at sundown into Independence Day is abrupt and deliberate.
Year by year
Yom HaZikaron dates, year by year
Every date from 2024 to 2030, computed from the Hebrew calendar. Each year has its own page with candle lighting times.
The rest of the calendar
Other Jewish holidays
8 of the 14 other holidays on the Hebrew calendar, nearest date first. Every card opens a guide with dates from 2024 to 2030.
September 12, 2026
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year (start of Hebrew year 5787). Shofar blasts, apples and honey, two days of prayer and festive meals.
September 21, 2026
Yom Kippur
The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year. A 25-hour fast from sundown to nightfall.
September 26, 2026
Sukkot
The festival of booths. A week of meals in the sukkah with the four species. The first two days are yom tov in the diaspora.
October 3, 2026
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
The closing festival of Sukkot, followed by Simchat Torah: finishing and restarting the Torah reading with dancing. One combined day in Israel, two in the diaspora.
December 5, 2026
Hanukkah
The festival of lights: eight nights of candle lighting marking the rededication of the Temple. Latkes, sufganiyot and dreidels.
January 23, 2027
Tu BiShvat
The new year of the trees. Tree planting in Israel and eating the fruits of the land.
March 23, 2027
Purim
Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of Persia as told in the Book of Esther. Megillah readings, costumes, mishloach manot and festive meals.
April 22, 2027
Passover (Pesach)
The festival of freedom, marking the Exodus from Egypt. Seder nights, matzah, and no chametz for eight days (seven in Israel).
Frequently asked questions
When is Yom HaZikaron?+
The next Yom HaZikaron begins at sundown on May 10, 2027 and ends at nightfall on May 11, 2027. Because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, the Gregorian date shifts each year while the season stays fixed.
What is Yom HaZikaron?+
Yom HaZikaron is Israel's memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, deliberately placed the day before Independence Day so that grief and celebration touch.
Does Israel observe Yom HaZikaron differently?+
Primarily an Israeli state day, marked in many diaspora communities with ceremonies.
What is Yom HaZikaron like in Israel?+
Two sirens, one in the evening and one the following morning. Ceremonies at every military cemetery, and the transition at sundown into Independence Day is abrupt and deliberate.