Passover 2016 in Tel Aviv

Passover (or Pesach in Hebrew) is one of the major Jewish holidays taking place in the spring, typically in April, marking the biblical exodus of the Jews from slavery over 3,300 years ago.

Passover 2017 begins at sunset on Monday, April 10 and ends after sundown on Tuesday, April 18. The holiday is perhaps best known for the prohibition against eating products made from leavened grain (e.g. bread and pasta) and the directive to eat matzo, a flat, unleavened bread. Ahead of Passover, many Jews, particularly those who are religiously observant, clean their homes to remove any trace of prohibited products and refrain from eating or buying them throughout the holiday’s 7 days. Likewise, the vast majority of Jewish bakeries only make special breads that don’t contain grains, and kosher restaurants only serve food that is kosher for Passover.

That said, Tel Aviv is a largely secular city, so while actual bread is in short supply, the city’s many non-kosher restaurants continue to serve their regular menus, and either make their own bread in-house or serve special kosher for Passover bread that don’t contain grains.

Read up on where to get your bread fix on Passover in Tel Aviv >>

Meanwhile, since most schools have a break for the holiday, Israelis come out in droves during the days and evenings to enjoy the warming spring weather at the beaches and various out door activities and events that take place to mark Passover. Tel Aviv’s nightlife institutions follow suit, marking the holiday with parties taking place throughout the week.

Traditional Passover Celebrations and Seders

Aside from refraining from eating leavened grain products, Jews traditionally celebrate Passover with an epic meal on the first night of the holiday. Known as a “seder” the meal consists of 14 parts as dictated by the “Haggadah,” a Jewish text that tells the story of the exodus. The meal includes a number of special foods that recall the Jews’ time in slavery in Egypt and their eventual redemption, as well as at least 4 glasses of wine over the course of the meal.

If you’re looking to experience some of the traditions and tastes, most of the big hotels and a number of Tel Aviv restaurants have special set meals on the first night of the holiday that offer a glimpse into the seder experience. Here are some seders open to the public that take place annually. Stay tuned for 2017 times and dates.

Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga is a Tel Aviv restaurant that specializes in traditional European cuisine. Its annual Passover seder features a fixed menu of European classics, all-you-can-drink wine, a communal reading of the Passover story and festive music.

Where: 12 HaYarkon Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 10, 2017
Contact: 03-5175179

White City Seder

Celebrate Passover with fellow young professionals at a catered Passover seder and plenty of wine hosted by White City Shabbat. Reservations are a must, so get your tickets before they sell out.

Where: TBA
When: April 10, 2017
Cost: TBA
Tickets: TBA
Contact: [email protected]

Tel Aviv International Synagogue Seder

Meet new people over some delicious food. Reservations are a must, so get your tickets before they sell out.

Where: Tel Aviv International Synagogue, 23 Frishman Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 10, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Cost: TBA
Tickets: TBA
Contact: 052-283-8599

The Tel Aviv Seder

Join guests from across the globe for an interactive seder with gourmet food, fine wine and lots of fun. Reservations are a must, so get your tickets before they sell out.

Where: TBA
When: April 10, 2017 
Cost: TBA
Tickets: TBA
Contact: 052-283-8599

Passover Dinner at Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv

Join fellow travelers of all races, religions and ethnicities for a scrumptious 3-course dinner, reading from the Passover hagaddah and singing some traditional songs. 

Where: Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv, 21 Levontin Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 22, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Cost: TBA
Tickets: TBA

Passover 2017 parties

And of course, as with any holiday, there’s plenty of parties at the and parties at the best Tel Aviv bars, clubs and other nightlife venues. Here are our favorite parties from last year. Check back closer to the holiday for updates on all the hottest goings on for Passover 2017.

Passover Rave at The Cat and the Dog

A night of deep, tech house with Pleasurekraft making their way from Washington, DC.

Where: The Cat and the Dog, 23 Carlebach Street, Tel Aviv
When: April 21, 2016 at 11:55 pm
Tickets: Guest list and first-come, first-served basis

The Block

Start your holiday off right with a night out at Tel Aviv’s best club…

Check out the Block’s full line-up to open the Passover festivities >>

Mimouna at the Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv

Mimouna is the traditional North African Passover after-part, typically filled with music, dancing and all sorts of tasty, not-kosher-for-Passover food items. Celebrate for with fellow travelers, locals and the band Zaaluk at the Abraham Hostel.

Where: Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv, 21 Levontin Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 30, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Cost: Free

A Soul Thing Presents: Hoodna Ba Mimouna

Definitely a less traditional Mimouna celebration, but guaranteed to be a good time with the 14-piece Hoodna Orchestra squeezing into Pasaz for a night of funky Afrobeat.

Where: Pasaz, 94 Allenby Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 30, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Cost: 30 NIS

Passover 2017 Events and Activities

Check out some highlights from 2016 and stay tuned for Passover 2017 updates.

Gelfer Popup Store

Brown TLV Hotel hosts Danish fashion designer Gelfer for a popup store with the latest styles at some seriously reduced rates.

Where: Brown TLV Hotel, 26 Kalisher Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 24-May 1, 2016 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Automotor International Motor Show

This is the biggest event of the year for motor enthusiasts and is admittedly entertaining even for casual fans. Check it out April 24-27, 2016 during the intermediate days of Passover.

Buy tickets and get more info about Automotor Tel Aviv >>

Yiddish International Festival 2016

The best Yiddish and traditional Jewish musicians from around the world congregate in Tel Aviv for 4 days of concerts at the Suzanne Dellal Center

Where: Suzanne Dellal Center, 5 Yehieli Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 23-27
Tickets: 03-510-5656

4th International Photography Festival

Renowned photographers from all over the world exhibit their work at venues in Jaffa.

Where: Jaffa, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 23-May 7, 2016
Tickets: Buy now! (Hebrew)

Action City Tel Aviv

A 1-day event inspired by “The Amazing Race” where participants perform mental and physical challenges as they race through the city

Where: Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: April 27, 2016

Free Museum Entry

Every Passover Bank Hapoalim sponsors free admissions to 40 museums throughout Israel. Stay tuned for a list of museums for 2016 as the information becomes available.

Where to Stay

If you’re coming from out of town for Passover in Tel Aviv, check out our index of the best Tel Aviv hotels >>