new Jewish year brings a rhythm of sacred days, weekly traditions, ancient festivals, meaningful fasts, Torah portions, and observances that connect generations across centuries.
THE JEWISH CALENDAR 2026–2027 offers a practical and engaging companion to the Jewish year 5787, covering the period from Rosh Hashanah in September 2026 through the eve of Rosh Hashanah in September 2027. The book is designed to make the structure of Jewish time easier to understand, navigate, and experience.
Because the Jewish day begins at sunset rather than midnight, knowing when an observance actually begins and ends can make all the difference. This reference explains the sunset-to-nightfall rhythm while distinguishing Diaspora observance from Israel where dates and durations differ.
Inside, readers will discover:
📖 A clear explanation of the lunisolar Hebrew system, including its months, leap-year structure, Rosh Chodesh, and the meaning of Hebrew year 5787
🕯️ Practical insight into Shabbat, including candle-lighting, Kiddush, Havdalah, weekly worship, and the rhythm of the sacred day
🍎 Rosh Hashanah traditions, the Ten Days of Repentance, symbolic foods, shofar customs, and Tzom Gedaliah
✡️ Yom Kippur traditions, fasting, Kol Nidre, Neilah, Yizkor, and the major practices associated with the Day of Atonement
🌿 Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Hoshana Rabbah, the sukkah, and the Four Species
🕎 Chanukah history, candle-lighting traditions, dreidel, latkes, sufganiyot, and the story behind the Festival of Lights
🌳 Asara B'Tevet and Tu BiShvat, from ancient remembrance and fasting to the modern celebration of trees and nature
🎭 Purim, the Fast of Esther, Megillah reading, costumes, charitable giving, festive customs, and the special features of the leap-year Purim in Adar II
🍷 Pesach, the Seder, matzah, the Four Questions, the Seder plate, the Counting of the Omer, and differences surrounding kitniyot
🔥 Lag BaOmer and Pesach Sheni, including their historical traditions and themes of renewal and second chances
🌾 Shavuot and the seasonal progression toward the close of the Omer count
🕯️ The Three Weeks, Tzom Tammuz, Tisha B'Av, Tu B'Av, and other important observances throughout the year
🇮🇱 Modern commemorations including Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzma'ut, and Yom Yerushalayim
📚 A complete weekly Torah reading cycle for 5787, together with a date-at-a-glance reference and Hebrew terminology
The book also highlights differences among Jewish communities, including Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Israeli, and Diaspora traditions, helping readers appreciate the diversity within Jewish practice rather than treating one custom as universal.
Whether you are preparing for an upcoming holiday, learning about Jewish traditions for the first time, planning family observances, studying Jewish history, attending synagogue, or simply looking for a reliable companion to the Jewish year, this book brings the calendar into focus.
The 5787 year covered here is a leap year with thirteen months, including Adar I and Adar II, making this edition especially valuable for understanding how the year's observances shift and unfold.
Use it as a year-round reference. Explore the history. Understand the traditions. Follow the rhythm of sacred time.
Make 5787 a year of deeper connection, greater understanding, and meaningful observance.