Jewish Holidays
Tu BiShvat (New Year for Trees)
Tu BiShvat is the Jewish “New Year for Trees,” celebrating nature and the environment. Lebanese Jewish communities celebrate by planting trees and sharing fruits like figs, pomegranates, and dates.
Purim
Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jews from Haman’s plot. Lebanese Jewish communities celebrate with vibrant costumes, music, and delicacies like sambousek and ma’amoul.
Passover (Pesach)
Passover celebrates the Exodus of Jews from slavery in Egypt. Lebanese Jews observe with a Seder meal, featuring lamb stew, lemon rice, and marinated artichokes.
Shavuot (Festival of Weeks)
Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah and is celebrated with dairy dishes like cheese-stuffed pastries and creamy desserts like halawet el jibn.
Tisha B’Av (Fast of the Ninth of Av)
A solemn day of mourning for the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem, observed through fasting, reflection, and prayers.
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year with symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey and sweetened rice dishes.