Jewish Holidays

The Jewish calendar offers so many reasons to celebrate and so many chances to Get Together. PJ Library has a ton of family fun to recommend for the 2024-2025 holidays:

• Hanukkah (December 25–January 2) is a perfect excuse to hang out with friends. Host a watch party, play dreidel, light candles together, or have a latke cook off. The possibilities are endless. (Plus the PJ Library Guide, A Time to Hope is full of eight nights of great family activity ideas).

Or plan for the rest of the year with PJ Library’s many Jewish Holiday Hubs. The list includes well-known reasons to Get Together but also some holidays you may not have thought of as great reasons to gather.

• Tu B'Shevat (February 12-13), sometimes called "New Year for the Trees" is a great chance to enjoy local foods, prep a garden, take a walk (if it's not too cold) or do some easy planting activities indoors. You can also host a 10-minute seder using the free printable from A Time to Hope.

• Purim (March 13-14) is made for community gatherings. Put together gift baskets, bake hamantaschen, or let the kids play dress up and do their own purimspiel. You can also try your hand at DIYing some costumes as a group. It's a perfect excuse to get together with friends. 

• Shabbat and Havdalah have been bringing Jewish people together every week for centuries. Start the weekend with a Shabbat gathering or spend a Saturday night star gazing with friends to welcome in a new week.

• Rosh Chodesh, at the arrival of a new moon, is always a chance to celebrate a new month on the Jewish calendar.