Jewish Calendar 101

April - May 2023 | Nissan - Sivan 5783*

* Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before and conclude at sundown on the noted day.

Pesach (Passover )

The Holiday of Our Freedom

April 6-13 | 15-22 Nissan

Pesach is the celebration of the Exodus from Egypt; our journey from a narrow place of slavery to freedom. The week-long holiday begins with a Seder (order) meal with foods that symbolize this journey, accompanied by the retelling of the exodus story.

Yom HaZikaron

Israel’s Memorial Day

April 25 | 4 Iyar

Sefirat HaOmer

Counting of the Omer

April 7-May 25 | 16 Nissan-5 Sivan

We count the 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot because it took seven weeks to reach Mount Sinai and receive the Torah. Each day of the Counting of the Omer represents spiritual preparation in anticipation of receiving the Torah.

Yom HaShoah

Holocaust Remembrance Day

April 18 | 27 Nissan

This year, Yom HaShoah begins at sundown on Monday, April 17 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, April 18. We commemorate the approximately six million Jews and others who perished in the Holocaust due to Nazi Germany. For ceremony details visit jewishcalgary.org.

This year, Yom HaZikaron begins at sundown on Monday, April 24 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, April 25. Israel dedicates this day of remembrance to those who have fallen in defence of the State of Israel and to the victims of terror.

Yom HaAtzmaut

Israel’s Independence Day

April 26 | 5 Iyar

This date celebrates the anniversary of Israel’s independence. It was proclaimed when David Ben-Gurion – the de facto leader of the Jewish community – read the declaration of independence.

Shavuot

The Feast of Weeks

May 26-27 | 6-7 Sivan

A doubly significant holiday marking Israel’s wheat harvest, as well as commemorating when the Torah was given to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai.

Sources: myjewishlearning.org and chabad.org.

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