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Jewish Holidays and Commemorations

Tzom Tammuz: (Sunrise to Sunset on July 2nd) 

A minor Jewish fast day commemorating the breach of Jerusalem’s walls by the Romans, marking the start of the “Three Weeks” of mourning leading to Tisha B’Av.

• 📖 Host a program exploring the archaeology of Jerusalem’s ancient fortifications.
• 📖 Explore resources from A Mitzvah to Eat and discuss alternatives to fasting on Jewish fast days.
• 🧿 Break the fast with a Trader Joe’s taste test program

Rosh Chodesh Av: (Sunset on July 14 to Sunset on July 15)   

This holiday marks the beginning of the month of Av, which is associated with mourning on the Jewish calendar.  

• 🧿 Every Rosh Chodesh is considered a special women’s holiday. Celebrate with a spa night, yoga class, or art workshop where you learn about awesome Jewish women. 
• 📖 Some people have a practice to avoid meat between Rosh Chodesh Av and Tisha B’Av. You can participate in this practice by having an all-vegetarian program and learning a bit about Jewish vegetarianism. 
• 📖 Join At the Well for their virtual global New Moon Circle for Av and attend as a group 
• 🧿 This month is associated with Leo/Aryeh, the zodiac sign for a lion. Visit your local zoo as a group! Add a bit of learning about Jewish wisdom related to each animal and you can get a Jewish Learning grant to cover the cost of admission! 
• 📖 Building on the idea that this month is Leo/Aryeh, The Talmud talks about how our Zodiac signs relate to body parts and calendar months.  Look at this section from Sefer Yitzirah (Mysticism) and buy one of the whimsical horoscope books to see how relevant your horoscopes are for the month.  Sefer Yetzirah 5:2 | Sefaria Library 
• 📖🧿 This month is also associated with the element of fire – a perfect excuse to host a Jewish bonfire night. 

Shabbat Chazon: (Sunset on July 17 to sunset on July 18)   

The Sabbath immediately preceding the ninth of Av is known as the Sabbath of Vision (Hazon) for the prophetic reading Isaiah 1:1-27. After recounting heinous transgressions, it offers the hope of reconciliation, which will come when the people “cease to do evil, learn to do good.” 

• 🧿 Facilitate a reflective dinner focused on your community’s vision for the future. Discuss what a rebuilt world or community looks like to your guests. 
• 📖 Host a mid-summer vision-boarding session with this ready-to-go program. 

Tisha B’Av: (Sunset on July 22 to sunset on July 23, 2026) 

Considered the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, Tisha B’Av is a 25-hour fast and day of mourning commemorates numerous historical tragedies, especially the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.  

• 📖 Learn about the differences and similarities among Jewish days of mourning 
• [JCH/TO] Screen a documentary about modern destruction – ecological, social, or political – and discuss how Jewish history can inform modern action 
• 🧿 Host a “Lamentations and Landscapes” paint-and-sip program with reflective music to process grief through art, potentially using this Torah Art program 
• 📖 Attend or host a communal reading of Eicha/Lamentations, the traditional text read on Tish’a B’Av.  
• 🧿 Host a break fast meal for Tish’a B’Av and/or explore resources from A Mitzvah to Eat and discuss alternatives to fasting on Jewish fast days.    
• 📖 Remember those who came before us and head to a Jewish cemetery to learn more about those buried there and the carving on the stone with this program. Tisha B’Av Inspired Cemetery Program

Shabbat Nachamu: (Sunset on July 24 to Sunset on July 25)   

The Sabbath immediately following the ninth of Av is known as the Sabbath of Comfort (Shabbat Nachamu) for the seven prophetic readings of consolation–all from Isaiah– which provide comfort after this somber occasion and help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for the upcoming High holidays. 

• 📖 Host a comfort Shabbat for Shabbat Nahamu. Teach about the significance of Shabbat Nachamu, make comfort foods, and invite guests to come in comfy clothes or pajamas! 

Tu B’Av: (Sunset on July 28 to sunset on July 29)   

Tu B’Av , the 15th Day of Av, is both an ancient and modern holiday. Originally a post-biblical day of joy, it served as a matchmaking day for unmarried women before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Tu B’Av was almost unnoticed in the Jewish calendar for many centuries but it has been rejuvenated in recent decades, especially in the modern state of Israel. In its modern incarnation it is gradually becoming a Jewish Day of Love, slightly resembling Valentine’s Day in English-speaking countries. 

• 🧿 Host your own outdoor dance party! Historically, the youth of Jerusalem would dance in the vineyards dressed in white; recreate this with a summer garden party. 
• 📖 Break out the popcorn for a Cheesy Romcom Movie Night. 
• 📖 Host an anti-love Jewish ritual to bury those moments you’d rather forget  
• 🌱 Honor the dancing tradition while bringing folks together for a good cause with this Tu B’Av dance party and clothing swap! 
• 🧿 Host a Tu B’Av meet up.  Tu B’av Meet Up

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Torah Portions

July 4: Parashat Pinchas – “Phinchas” 

God tells Moses how the Land of Israel should be divided among the tribes and families. The five daughters of Tzelafchad successfully argue that women should also be able to inherit land. Pinchas is rewarded for killing an Israelite-Midianite couple, Zimri and Cozbi. Joshua is named as Moses’ successor. The portion ends with a detailed list of daily and holiday offerings.  

• 📖 In honor of Tzelophechad’s daughters, learn about early example of women’s leadership in Jewish community 
• 📖 Celebrate interfaith relationships in defiance of Pinchas by learning about iconic multi-heritage couples throughout Jewish history  
• 🧿 Combine a July 4^th celebration with a Parshat Pinchas nod by honoring Jewish American women who have fought for equality. 

July 11: Parashat Matot-Masei – “Tribes-Journeys” 

In the first portion, Moses describes the laws of oaths, the Israelites battle the Midianites, and the tribes of Reuven and Gad request to dwell outside of the Land of Israel. In the second portion, the tribes of Reuven and Gad promise to help out the other tribes while not living in the land of Israel, God clarifies the laws of murder, and the daughters of Zelophehad receive their inheritance. 

• 🧿 Inspired by the Israelites’ wanderings, host a Global Jewish Cocktails party 
• 📖 Some consider the request Reuven and Gad in this parsha to be evidence of the first voluntary diasporic Jewish community. Celebrate by learning about Jewish communities around the world with a Global Jewish Cocktails program, or host a discussion about what different Jewish communities owe to each other. 
• 📖 The “cities of refuge” in this Torah portion are a precursor to today’s sanctuary cities movement. Host a program learning about the importance of immigrant rights in Jewish tradition and use a JIO to get catering from a local immigrant-owned restaurant. 
• 🧿 Explore the role of place in this Torah portion by photographing your neighborhood/city using the ready to go program PhoTO(RAH)graphy   

July 18: Parashat Devarim – “Words” 

In this Torah portion, Moses recounts some highlights (and lowlights) from the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness. Moses encourages the Israelites in their upcoming conquest of the land of Canaan. 

• 📖 Incorporate a speed-telling activity into a program by printing out slips of paper with different stories from Torah and having participants race to put them in the right order. 
• 🧿 Inspired by Moses’s recounting of the Israelites story, have your community members share pieces of their life stories with this ready to go Jewish storytelling event.   
• 📖 Add a fun Jewish learning component to any program with a Jewish Balderdash program. 
• 📖 Is Moses telling fake news?? Read this article about how Moses “adapts” the story and discuss the line between interpretation and straight-up lying. 

July 25: Parashat Va’etchanan – “And I Pleaded” 

In this Torah portion, Moses stresses to the Israelites the importance of keeping God’s commandments when they enter the Land of Israel. Moses repeats the Ten Commandments and utters the Shema and Ve’ahavta prayers. 

• 📖 In honor of the Shema, host an art program where participants learn about this ritual and create their own mezuzah cases. 
• 🧿 As Moses prepares the Israelites for his death, you too can plan ahead by hosting a financial planning, medical directive, and ethical will workshop. 
• 🧿 Explore the themes of love in the Ve’Ahavta with a Tu B’Av program for the Jewish day of love!  Use this sheet on love for inspirational resources.  What’s love got to do with it – MH.pdf 

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Secular Celebrations and Remembrances

July 1 (Wed): Canada Day

• 🫂🧿 Host a brunch featuring foods from the distinct Jewish communities of Canada. Serve Montreal-style bagels (and discuss how they differ from NY bagels) and smoked meat, or host a poutine bar with vegetarian gravy so it can be kept kosher with cheese curds.
• 🌱Partner with a Canadian non-profit or a Jewish environmental group like Shoresh to learn about cross-border environmental conservation, then spend an hour doing a local park cleanup.
• 📖 Host a guest speaker or watch a short documentary about the history of Jewish migration to Canada, specifically focusing on how Canadian multiculturalism policies shaped Jewish identity

July 1 (Wed): National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day

• 🧿 Do some learning about the intersection between  Judaism and ice cream. 
• 📖 Or the history of ice cream Mem Global | Jews and Ice Cream

July 4 (Sat): US Independence Day

• 📖 Host a study session reading George Washington’s 1790 letter to the Touro Synagogue, which famously promised that the US government “gives to bigotry no sanction.” Discuss how this promise holds up today.
• 📖 🧿 Host a BBQ party and learn about the BBQ Party at the End of the World 
• 🧿 Host a traditional barbecue featuring the inventions of Jewish Americans, such as Hebrew National hot dogs or “Jewish” deli-style potato salad. Play a playlist of iconic American songs written by Jewish composers like Irving Berlin (God Bless America) or Neil Diamond. Learn more about BBQ here. Jewish BBQ – MH.pdf
• 📖 Reflect on the complex nature of dual identities with this program

July 5 (Sun): National Hawaii Day

• 📖 Host a “Jewish Luau” featuring a poke bowl bar. Learn about the history of the “King Kalakaua” Torah scroll and the Jewish community in Hawaii.
• 🧿 End the day with a beachy Havdalah featuring tropical scents (like coconut or pineapple) for the besamim (spices) and bright, flower-heavy decor.

July 5 (Sun): National Workaholics Day

• 📖 Learn about Shabbat and the importance of rest in Judaism. Consider making some Shabbat related Judaica like these Shabbat candles. 
• See what our tradition says about lessening our stress.

July 6 (Mon): National Handroll Day

• 📖 Host a DIY sushi-making night while learning about the Jewish communities of Japan. Jewish Japenese Fusion.docx
• 🧿 Learn about the kashrut of rice wine (sake) and prepare some “Sushi-Salad” (a popular Shabbat lunch dish in many Jewish communities) to enjoy together

July 7 (Tue): World Chocolate Day

• 📖 Go on an edible tour through the Jewish history of chocolate!
• 🌱 Host a chocolate tasting featuring only fair trade brands using this Guilt Free Gelt resource or this Judaism and Fair Trade values program
• 🧿 Host chocolate babka & chocolate challah baking program.

July 8 (Wed): National Blueberry Day

• 🧿 Go blueberry picking as a group, then turn some of your prizes into blueberry kugel, jam for blintzes, or some other blueberry-focused Jewish treat.
• 📖 Check out your local farmers’ market and turn it into a Jewish program with this fun scavenger hunt

July 8 (Wed): National Raspberry Day

• Explore Ashkenazi herbalism with this medicinal raspberry tea recipe from the shtetel that was written about in volume three of Gashmius Magazine by Jewish herbalist, Naomi Spector. 

July 10 (Fri): National Kitten Day

• 🌱 Partner with a local cat shelter for a “blanket-making” night. Make no-sew fleece blankets for shelter kittens while learning about the Jewish laws regarding the ethical treatment of animals.
• 📖 Host a cozy learning session about the role of cats in Jewish folklore and the superstitions about cats in the shtetls of Eastern Europe.
• 🧿 🌱 Host a kitten-themed Shabbat or happy hour (cat-ears encouraged). Share photos of your community’s “Jewish cats” and collect donations of kitten food.
• 🌱 Partner with a local cat fostering agency to host a play and adoption Shabbat Party open to the whole community

July 11 (Sat): World Horse Day

• 📖 Learn about the history of Jewish figures in the equestrian world and horse racing
• 🧿🌱 Have community members sign up in advance for a horseback hike; on the way there, learn a bit about horses in Jewish tradition and on the way back, discuss the Jewish value of Tza’ar Ba’alei Chayim (Preventing Cruelty to Animals).

July 14 (Tue): Bastille Day

• 📖 Host a “Crepe and Culture” night. Serve sweet and savory crepes and learn about the history of the Jews in France, the first country in Europe to emancipate its Jewish population.
• 🧿 Over French wine and cheese, discuss the Dreyfus Affair and how it served as a catalyst for modern Zionism and Theodor Herzl’s vision.

July 15 (Wed): National Give Something Away Day

• 🌱 Host a community donation drive or a community yard sale where proceeds can go to a local Jewish family services organization.
• 🧿 Host a clothing or Judaica swap. Give away items you no longer use (like old Shabbat candlesticks or cookbooks) and find “new” treasures from your neighbors.
• 📖🌱 Study Maimonides’ eight levels of tzedakah. Discuss which level “Give Something Away Day” falls into and how to move toward more impactful giving.

July 16 (Thu): International Snake Day

• 📖 Bring in a snake handler or visit a reptile rehab and discuss the transition of the snake from a symbol of sin in Eden to a symbol of healing in the desert.
• 🧿 Host a Noodle Night: a chill gathering with snake-like foods (long noodles, gummy worms) and play a round of “Jewish Myth-Busters” focused on animals in the Torah.

July 17 (Fri): National Tattoo Day

• 📖 Host a discussion on the changing Jewish perspectives on tattoos,, from the biblical prohibition to modern memorial tattoos.
• 🧿 Provide high-quality temporary tattoos with Hebrew calligraphy or botanical themes for a pre-Shabbat “ink” party.

July 18 (Sat): Nelson Mandela International Day

• 🌱 Organize a high-energy 67-minute volunteer project (like packing hygiene kits or pickig up trash) to honor the 67 years Mandela spent in public service.
• 🫂🌱 Discuss the history of Jewish activists in the anti-apartheid movement and the concept of Tikkun Olam in a global context.

July 19 (Sun): National Ice Cream Day

• 📖 Put together an awesome ice cream sandwich bar and share a source sheet on Jews and Ice Cream Jewish Ice Cream Toppings Trivia 
• 📖 Or, use this Jewish Ice Cream Toppings Trivia sheet for a sundae bar!

July 20 (Mon): World Moon Day

• 📖🧿 Learn about the weird and wonderful moon-related traditions in Judaism, from ritual cartwheels to skinny dipping, while snacking on cheese, oreos, and Moon Pies or while creating moon-phase wall hangings or art.
• Explore the sun and moon in Judaism with this sheet.Longest day of the year – MH.pdf

July 23 (Thu): International Gorgeous Grandma Day

• 🧿 Host a “Savta and Me” (or “Honorary Bubbe”) storytelling night where people share the best advice or recipes they received from their grandmothers.
• 🧿🌱 Get together to create “just because” cards for your own grandmas and for elderly people in a local care facility

July 24 (Fri): International Self-Care Day

• 🫂 Host a spa day featuring Black-owned or Israeli-owned beauty products, incorporating a discussion on the Jewish value of Shmirat HaGuf (guarding the body) Self-love and self-care – MH.pdf

July 25 (Sat): National Wine and Cheese Day

• 🧿📖 Host a wine and cheese tasting where each pairing represents one of the ten Sefirot.
• 📖 Use this as an opportunity to learn about the specific laws of kosher wine and the history of Jewish cheesemaking.

July 26 (Sun): National Bagelfest

• 🧿 Host a bagel brunch and learn about how this Polish bread became the quintessential Jewish-American food.
• 📖 If you wish, you can incorporate this Jewish brunch trivia.

July 26 (Sun): National Disability Independence Day

• 🌱 Host a workshop on making Jewish communal spaces and rituals more accessible.
• 🫂🧿 Braille Alphabet: Learn about the history of Braille and try writing the Hebrew alphabet in Braille, then close with a mindful exercise led by blind Rabbi Lauren Tuchman
• 📖🫂 Listen to the wisdom of disabled Jewish leaders like Judy Heumann, and Julia Watts Belser, or explore the writers of the Disability Torah Project.

July 28 (Tue): National Waterpark Day

• 🧿📖 Bring a group to your local waterpark! On the way there, learn a bit about the symbolism of water in Jewish tradition.
• 📖 Or enjoy TJ’s snacks at the waterpark with this taste test program.

July 30 (Thu): Paperback Book Day

• 🧿 Host a “Blind Date with a Jewish Book”. Wrap up favorite Jewish paperbacks, give them intriguing but anonymous summaries, and swap them with community members.

July 30 (Thu): National Climb a Mountain Day

• 🧿 🌱 Consider taking your community out in nature with  Jewishly rooted hike!

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