Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur in Tel Aviv Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, this year is from sundown on Friday 3rd of October, until sundown on Saturday 4th. On Yom Kippur, the whole of Israeli literally closes down.The majority of Jews, fast for 25 hours and spend at least part of the day in the Synagogue.

On Yom Kippur, Tel Aviv like the rest of country the city that never stops actually stops! Apart from emergency services, the city comes to a halt. There is no commerce or public transport and the usually jam packed streets of Tel Aviv are empty of traffic.

According to the law restaurants, cafes and recreation centers are not allowed to open. Ben Gurion and other airports are closed and unlike in any other Western Country, the whole country apart from the security services stop.

What to do on Yom Kippur in Tel Aviv?

Either you can relax and chill out with your friends by the beach and on the car-free streets or you can choose the more traditional path of going to Synagogue and enjoying the melodious services and reflective atmosphere. Many try to do both.

The streets of Tel Aviv are full of young people on bicycles , roller blades and korkinets. There is no enforceable law against not driving but it simply isn’t done. Many spend time strolling the empty streets and enjoying the fresh, non-polluted air.

Where to go to cycle and enjoy the car-free streets?

Apart from the streets, we recommend cycling down the tayelet (broadwalk) along the beach and sea area. The Hayarkon, Dizengoff, Bograshov and Shenkin Streets are particularly popular and pleasant areas to cycle in and walk along.

Bike Rental

Bike rental on Yom Kippur is difficult seeing as almost all businesses are closed, so it’s best to rent beforehand. In Tel Aviv, the Tel-O-Fun municipal bike rental scheme will allow bikes to be collected before Yom Kippur and returned during the holiday (or after). Until 2pm on the eve of Yom Kippur, bikes can be collected from the regular terminals by subscribers (you can sign up online). The rentals are free in light of the holiday, and can be returned during Yom Kippur or until 23:59 on the evening after. Bikes cannot be collected during the holiday. There are collection stations across the city. See tel-o-fun.co.il for more details. https://www.tel-o-fun.co.il/en/

Synagogue Services

Most Tel Avivians spend the evening of Yom Kippur (the Kol Nidrei Service) and at least part of the day in the Synagogue. Most people spend the end of Yom Kippur during the Neilah service also in the Synagogue. At the end of Yom Kippur, the Shofar is blown and then everyone goes home for a festive meal. Synagogues to go to? There are a huge variety of Synagogues to go to in Tel Aviv. We did a listing that you should use. It really depends on the type of experience you are looking for. Be warned that many Synagogues especially the evening service of Kol Nidrei, will be full of people so arrive early to arrive a seat.

There are also more informal, explanatory type of service you may prefer. Also, check if there are services for your children and baby-sitting services. Synagogues should have accessibility facilities for wheelchairs, but check that too if you need to know.