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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

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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.

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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

• 📖 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

Compiled by Annie Prusky with contributions by Adena Walker, Adira Rosen, and Rabbi Shari Shamah