Rosh Hashanah in Tel Aviv 2016

Rosh Hashana is a 2-day national holiday in Israel celebrating the Jewish new year. It is one of the most important and highly anticipated festivals in the Jewish calendar and attracts tens of thousands of tourists to Israel every year.

Coming for Rosh Hashanah? Check out or listing of the best hotels in Tel Aviv >>

Meaning “head of the year,” in Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah takes place during the first 2 days of the Hebrew months of Tishrei, which typically falls sometime in September or October. In 2017, the holiday will start on the evening of September 20 and end the evening of September 22.

Much like most Jewish festivals, the religious aspects of the holiday revolve around services in synagogues, meals at home with family and friends and refraining from regular weekly activities. This means that similar to Shabbat, there is no public transportation and many businesses are closed. That said, in Tel Aviv the holiday is also a cause for nightlife celebrations, and you won’t have too hard a time finding Tel Aviv restaurants serving special dinner menus, and many bars and clubs have special festivities to mark the holiday.

If you’d like to experience some of the Rosh Hashanah traditions, special foods are a tasty way to do it. The official food of the holiday is apples dipped in honey, a custom meant  to symbolize a sweet new year. It is also customary to eat honey cake for the same reason, round challah (a sweet bread similar to a brioche) to symbolize the cycle of the year and pomegranates and other fruits that are just coming into season. You can also find traditional community dinners that are open everybody.

Rosh Hashanah Events in Tel Aviv 2017

Rosh Hashanah 2017 is still a ways off, but we’ll update the events as soon as we can. In the meantime, check out the happenings from last year!

YJP Rosh Hashanah Gourmet Dinner

Seems like a pretty hip happening for young professionals (20′s and 30′s) and lone soldiers in Israel with cocktails, a gourmet dinner and other fun stuff.

Where: 5 Brenner Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 23 Frishman, Tel Aviv-Jaffa
When: Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 8:30 to 11:30 pm
Cost: 160 NIS; free for lone soldiers
Sign-up: Register now!

Tel Aviv Int’l Synagogue Annual Rosh Hashanah Dinner

The Tel Aviv International Synagogue invites one and all for an intimate, traditional Rosh Hashanah community dinner with some great food thrown into the mix. If you’re Jewish and already familiar with the holiday, it’s a great way to experience it with new people; and if you don’t know much about Rosh Hashanah, it’s a great and interesting way to learn more.  Sign up fast because seating is limited and registration closes September 28.

Where: Tel Aviv International Synagogue, 23 Frishman, Tel Aviv-Jaffa
When: Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 6:30 to 10:30 pm
Cost: 120 NIS (members), 140 NIS (guests) or 70 NIS (children)
Sign-up: Register now!

Erev Rosh Hashanah Young Community Dinner

Ring in the Jewish New Year with new friends, a catered kosher meal and plenty of wine.

Where: North Central Synagogue, 126 Ben Yehuda Street, Tel Aviv
When: Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Cost: 110 NIS
Sign-up: Register now!

Rosh Hashanah Festival w/ Jetfire Live

Belgian-Israeli house duo Jetfire will be helping Israel’s party people ring in the Jewish New Year with a live set at the W Rooftop Club in Gedera, about 40 minutes south of Tel Aviv. Unfortunately, you’ll need a car to reach this one…

Where: W Rooftop Club, 26 Edom Street, Gedera
When: October 2, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Cost: 55-75 NIS
Tickets: Buy now!

Rosh Hashanah Rave w/ Jetfire

No rest for Jetfire as they take the stage again for some daytime fun

Where: Madison Square Garden, 5 Hamenofim Street, Herzliya
When: October 3, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Cost: TBA
Tickets: TBA

Rosh Hashanah Rave at Shalvata

A serious holiday party right on the sea at the Tel Aviv Port

Where: Shalvata, Hangar 28, Tel Aviv Port, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: October 3, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Cost: TBA
Tickets: 054-761-6070 (Reservations)

Bootleg Rosh Hashanah Party

A good ol’ fashion party with mainstream, hip hop, dance music and more at Bootleg

Where: 48 King George Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: October 3, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Cost: 40 NIS
Tickets: Buy now!

Kuli Alma Day Party

Music, dancing, drinking, a second-hand sale and more at Tel Aviv’s favorite club/art gallery from the afternoon into the night

Where: Shalvata, Hangar 28, Tel Aviv Port Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: October 4, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Cost: 20-30 NIS

Rosh Hashanah for the Whole Family at Hatachana

All kinds of creative workshops for all ages and performance of the fantastic children’s play “The Rosh Hashanah Ball” about a bewitched princess and the charming prince who must save her.

Where: Hatachana Complex, Kaufmann Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: October 3, 2016 at 11:00 am
Cost: Free!