Hosting, Jewish Holiday, Ritual
April 2026/Nisan/Iyyar 5786 Program Inspiration Ideas
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Jewish Holidays and Commemorations
Passover: (Sundown on Wed, April 1 to Sundown on Thu, April 9)
Passover (“Pesach” in Hebrew) commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Passover lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days in the Diaspora. During Passover, many Jews abstain from all leavened products (“hametz”) and eat unleavened bread (“matzah”). The primary ritual of Passover is the seder, a 14-step ritual meal, which takes place on the first one or two nights.
- 🧿🌱In advance of Passover, host a Bedikat Chametz scavenger hunt, a guided clean-out, and donation drive. Here’s a sheet to help you with Passover preparations,
- 🧿 Check out the huge variety of Hagaddot available with Recustom including a comedy seder, a golden girls hagaddah, an anti-war hagaddah, and even an upside-down seder.
- 🧿 Looking for ways to liven your seder? How about Passover trivia or Passover themed mocktails?
- 🧿 Use this guide to host your very own chocolate seder.
- 🧿 Get your community moving after the Matzah with this Passover themed musical workout.
- 📖 How many kinds of Charoset can you make? Check out this Charoset Around the World sheet to incorporate new traditions to your seder.
- Host a Charoset and Matzah taste off. Get different brands of matzah and see which is the preferred brand. Bonus, make 2 or 3 variations of charoset to sample.
- 📖 🧿Learn about and host a Mimouna celebration and practice making Mufleta.
The Omer: (begins Sundown on Thu, April 2)
The Omer is a period of 49 days between the start of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot. It is a mitzvah to ritually count each day, a practice which has been imbued with layers of moral and mystical meaning. The Omer is also a period of semi-mourning and some Jews refrain from joyful practices during this time.
- 📖 The kabbalists (Jewish mystics) taught that each week of the Omer we should meditate on a different spiritual quality. Hold a learning circle about these spiritual qualities (“middot”) and engage in silent or artistic meditation.
- 🧿📖 Check out these resources on creative ways to count the Omer.
Yom HaShoah Ve-Hagevurah: (April 14th)
This observance, the “Day of the Holocaust and the Heroism,” is an annual memorial of the events of the Holocaust. Although the date was established by the Israeli government, it has become a day commemorated by Jewish communities and individuals worldwide.
- 📖 Host an intimate evening of living memory. Watch a short testimony from a survivor or a descendant, followed by a facilitated discussion on how your generation carries the responsibility of “Never Forget.”
- 📖 Explore the art of children from Theresienstadt. Discuss how creating art, poetry, and music served as a form of resistance against dehumanization.
- 🧿 Host a Jewish storytelling night uplifting themes of justice, empowerment, and the lessons of the Holocaust.
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar: (sundown on Thu, April 16 to sundown on Sat, April 18)
Iyyar is the second month on the Biblical calendar and the eighth month on the rabbinic calendar. The mazal (constellation) for Iyyar is Taurus/Shor (the ox).
- 📖 In the prophets, Iyar is called “the Month of Radiance” (Chodesh Ziv), because it’s when the trees are bright with blossoms. Go on a nature walk to seek out bright blossoms in your neighborhood and learn about the symbolism of flowers in Judaism.
- 🧿 Host or attend a local mindfulness-oriented Rosh Chodesh circle
Yom HaZikaron: (April 21st)
Yom HaZikaron (literally “day of the remembering”) is Israel’s official memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. It is also observed by many Jews outside of Israel.
- 🧿 🫂 Each year, the Parents’ Circle, an organization of Israeli and Palestinian parents who have lost children to the conflict, hosts a joint ceremony commemorating the lives of those lost in the region. Watch their 2026 program live or screen their 2025 program here.
Yom HaAtzma’ut: (April 22nd)
Yom HaAtzma’ut (literally “day of the independence”) is an Israeli holiday celebrating formal establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. It is also observed by many Jews outside of Israel.
- 🧿 Transform your space into an Israeli night market. Set up stations for tahini tasting, spice blending (maybe a za’atar workshop?), and a high-energy Hebrew playlist to celebrate the vibrant culture of modern Israel.
- 📖 Learn about the complex history behind Israel’s seemingly simple — and recently officialized — national anthem with this program: How Hatikvah Became Israel’s Anthem
- 📖 Reflect on your own relationship with and hopes for the land/state of Israel, with this program: Write Your Own Prayer for Israel
Torah Portions
Saturday, April 11: Parashat Shemini – “Eighth”
This Torah portion covers the joyous inauguration of the Tabernacle and the ordination of the priests. After the ordination, two of Aaron’s sons bring a strange fire before God and are consumed by fire. God then instructs Moses and Aaron regarding which animals may be eaten, introducing the basics of kashrut (dietary laws).
- 📖 Organize a meal with kosher versions of often unkosher foods, and learn about what makes them kosher
- 📖 Host a wine tasting and learn about what makes wine kosher
Saturday, April 18: Parashat Tazria and Parashat Metzora – “She Bears” and “Leper”
This week is a double portion, covering two parashot. In Tazria, God instructs Moses about the purification rituals for mothers following childbirth. God then describes to Moses and Aaron the procedures for identifying and responding to those infected with leprosy. In Metzora, God describes the purification ritual for people and homes afflicted with leprosy; God also instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the laws of the emission of bodily fluids.
- 📖 Learn about different Jewish traditions regarding pregnancy and birth
- 🌱 Organize a donation drive for new mothers in need through a local organization, birth center, or hospital
- 📖 These portions are often associated with gossip. Host a tea party and learn about spilling tea in Judaism.
Saturday, April 25: Parashat Acharei Mot – “After the Death”
God speaks to Moses after the death of Aaron’s two sons, who were killed for coming too close to the presence of God. God instructs Moses and Aaron on the procedures surrounding Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. God describes all the laws surrounding sexual prohibitions.
- 🌱🧿 After his sons died, Aaron was silent – but we don’t have to be. Consider hosting a Death over Shabbat Dinner to end the taboo about mortality.
- 📖 Learn about modern interpretations of Biblical sexual taboos over some wine and cheese.
- 📖 Start a conversation about what happens after we die. Use this sheet for Jewish perspectives on the afterlife.
Secular Celebrations and Remembrances
Sikh Heritage Month (Canada)
- 🫂 Partner with a local Gurdwara for a shared meal or a “Langar-style” community dinner. Discuss the parallels between the Sikh concept of Seva (selfless service) and the Jewish value of Chesed (loving-kindness).
- 📖 Host a guest speaker or watch a short documentary on the history of religious head-coverings and identity in the diaspora, exploring how both Jewish and Sikh communities maintain tradition in modern spaces.
National Card and Letter Writing Month (US)
- 🌱 Host a stationary-making night using pressed flowers, and then use some of that stationary to write letters to isolated seniors, leaning into the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim (comforting the sick/isolated).
- 🧿 Learn about the tradition of placing notes in the Western Wall. Have everyone write a personal but anonymous note. Then go on a walk so each person can find a small beautiful place to tuck their note into the world.
Tax Month (Canada and US)
- Invite a CPA or financial planner from the community to lead a low-stress workshop on filing taxes
- 🌱 Plan a giving circle with Natan to reflect on how you can make a financial difference
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- 📖 Lead a sensitive, facilitated text study looking at “difficult” biblical stories (like Dinah or Tamar) through a modern feminist lens, focusing on healing, consent, and empowerment.
- 🫂 Host a trauma-informed self-defense class or a workshop on Active Bystander Training discussing the Jewish value of being a Shomer (guardian) for one’s community.
April 1st (Wed): Fool’s Day
- 📖 Host a trivia night where participants have to guess if a wild Jewish story is an actual Midrash (rabbinic legend) or a total fabrication.
- 🧿 Since it’s Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days of Passover), host a dinner where everything is an illusion: think pasta made of zucchini or desserts that look like savory dishes, all Kosher for Passover.
April 5th (Sun): Deep Dish Pizza Day
- 🧿 Host a competitive Matzah Pizza night where participants try to build the thickest, most deep-dish style matzah pizzas using gourmet cheeses and toppings.
April 6th (Mon): Tartan Day
- 📖 🫂Explore the surprising history of the Jewish Tartan (it exists!) and the Scottish-Jewish community. Serve Scottish-Jewish Fusion snacks like smoked salmon on oatcakes.
- 🧿 Host a weaving workshop where participants create a Community Tartan wall hanging using colors that represent their different Jewish identities.
April 7th (Tue): National Beer Day (US)
- 📖 Celebrate the (imminent) return of chametz (leavened, not-kosher-for-Passover food) with a tour of a local brewery. Over your beers, discuss why “risen” grain is forbidden on Passover but celebrated in the form of beer and bread the rest of the year.
April 8th (Wed): International Day of Pink
- 📖 Host a workshop on the laws of Lashon Hara (evil tongue/gossip). Here’s a sheet about gossip in Judiasm. Wear pink to symbolize “soft speech” and discuss how to create a “bully-free” Jewish community.
April 8th (Wed): Zoo Lover’s Day
- 📖 Organize a trip to your local, complete with a scavenger hunt list to find animals mentioned in the Bible (lions, eagles, deer) and discuss their symbolism.
April 9th (Thu): Vimy Ridge Day (Canada)
- 📖 Host a film screening or discussion about the role of Jewish soldiers in WWI, then discuss the concept of dual loyalty and the Jewish commitment to the countries we live in
- 🧿 Learn about Jewish communities across Canada
April 10th (Fri): National Siblings Day (US)
- 📖 Dive into the messy siblings of the Torah: Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah. Discuss how these ancient rivalries shape our understanding of family and forgiveness.
- 🧿 Host a Shabbat dinner celebrating Found Family – the friends who have become like brothers and sisters in the Moishe House community.
April 11th (Sat): National Pet Day (US)
- 📖 Did you know that Jewish law says we must feed our animals before ourselves? Learn about the Jewish laws concerning the ethical treatment of animals.
- 📖 Host an outdoor gathering for people and their furriest friends, and write creative pet blessings inspired by traditional blessings for children.
- 🌱 Celebrate the pets in our lives by helping others. Make pet toys to donate to an animal shelter or humane society.
April 12th (Sun): Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
- 📖 Host a competition for the most creative grilled cheese. Provide a toppings bar with Jewish trivia about the items on the table (pickles, caramelized onions, lox).
April 13th (Mon): International Plant Appreciation Day
- 📖 Have everyone bring a cutting or a plant to trade, or pick up some inexpensive plant babies at your local garden store. Provide soil and pots for a propagation party!
April 15th (Wed): Seth Rogen’s Birthday
- 📖 Watch An American Pickle and use this guide to discuss major themes
- 🧿 Turns out Seth Rogen is weirdly good at pottery. Bring a group to your local ceramics studio and make pinch pots while you enjoy a Jewish wisdom podcast or learn about Jewish metaphors involving clay and pottery.
- 📖 Watch an episode of The Studio and talk about Jews who helped make Hollywood.
April 17th (Fri): Herbalist Day
- 🧿 Host a workshop to create custom Besamim (spice) blends for Havdalah using traditional Jewish herbs like hyssop, rosemary, and cinnamon.
- 📖 Explore the medicinal herbs mentioned in the Talmud. Learn about the healing plants of the Land of Israel and make your own Jewish healing salve.
April 18th (Sat): Record Store Day
- 🧿 Have a “Bring Your Own Vinyl” night! Check out a local record store together, then later host a party where you ask participants to bring their most Jewish record to share.
April 18th (Sat): World Circus Day
- 📖 Connect with a local gym that offers aerial silks and begin to learn a new skill. Learn about the connections between Jews and the circus.
April 22nd (Tue): Earth Day
- 🌱 Host a clothing swap. Have community members bring clothes they no longer wear, and discuss the Jewish prohibition against waste (Bal Tashchit) while giving items a second life.
- 📖 Go on a nature walk through a local park. Practice identifying local plants and pair them with their counterparts in the Torah or traditional Jewish medicinal practices. (Ask your JLS for resources)
April 23rd (Wed): National Picnic Day (US)
- 🌱 Organize a park or street cleanup in your neighborhood, ending with a picnic to enjoy the beautified space.
April 24th (Fri): Arbor Day
- 📖 Go for a nature hike or garden walk and talk about nature in Judaism as you traverse through the trees.
April 24th (Fri): Barbara Streisand’s Birthday
- 🧿 Celebrate the ultimate diva with a Barbra Streisand-themed karaoke night. Serve sparkling cider/champagne and encourage iconic outfits.
April 28th (Tue): Workers Memorial Day
- 🌱 Study Jewish laws regarding fair wages and the treatment of workers, and the proud history of Jews in the Labor Movement.
- 🌱 Organize a collection for a local union’s strike fund or a donation drive for essential workers in your neighborhood, acknowledging the dignity of labor.
April 30th (Thu): International Jazz Day
- 🫂 🧿 Host a listening party featuring Black and Jewish jazz legends. Discuss the history of collaboration between these two communities in the 20th-century music scene and how jazz became a common language for marginalized groups.
April 30th (Thu): National Majhong Day (US)
- 🧿 Host a beginner friendly “Majh & Margs” night for the quintessential Jewish-American pastime. Provide cheat sheets for the cards and serve refreshing drinks.
- 🫂 Discuss the history of how Mahjong became a Jewish game, exploring the intersection of Jewish and Chinese cultures in the 20th century. Order in!
Compiled by Annie Prusky with contributions by Adena Walker, Adira Rosen, and Rabbi Shari Shamah
