The only holiday where we finish and begin again in the same breath. The history, customs and greetings of Simchat Torah, and the etiquette behind the joy.
Rosh Hashanah is meant to begin on a sweet note, yet questions about relationships, children, weight, money and politics can quickly turn dinner into a cross-examination. This timely etiquette guide explains how to protect privacy, discuss Israel's election season without ridicule or pressure, and redirect a heated exchange with grace. It also offers better questions, safe conversation starters and light-hearted lines for hosts—so family and guests can reach dessert with dignity and goodwill int
This year, Tu B’Av is less about finding the perfect gift and more about offering presence, attention and kind words. A thoughtful look at the origins of the Jewish Festival of Love, etiquette in relationships and the small gestures that remind us never to take love for granted.
Shavuot is a holiday of white elegance, dairy foods, cheese, wine, fresh bread, fruits and festive hospitality. In this article, Tami Lancut Leibovitz explores the meaning behind Shavuot dairy traditions, how to design a beautiful white holiday table, how to serve cheese and wine properly, and the essential etiquette rules for both hosts and guests.
Israel Independence Day 2026 arrives at a time of national fatigue, uncertainty, emotional strain, and civic weight. This article reflects on what independence means this year, with gratitude to the IDF, the Air Force, and the civilian home front, and asks what independence looks like in such a complex moment.
The Israeli barbecue is one of the clearest symbols of Independence Day, but even around the grill, consideration matters. This article offers an updated guide to a more pleasant and respectful barbecue: choosing the right spot, managing smoke, music, cleanliness, hygiene, sharing public space, and bringing greater sensitivity to this year’s holiday atmosphere.
Mimouna, the holiday that concludes Passover, takes on a particularly deep meaning in 2026. In the shadow of war, national exhaustion, and uncertainty, it returns to its true foundations: an open home, good neighborliness, hospitality, sweetness, blessing, and hope. This article explores the holiday’s origins in Moroccan and North African Jewish communities, the meaning of the blessing “Tirbehu Vetis’adu,” the symbolic role of mofletta, and the moving story of Muslim neighbors who brought flour
Israel’s Memorial Day 2026: the meaning of the day, the memorial siren, ceremonies, respectful conduct, and national grief in a fragile and unresolved time.
Holocaust Remembrance Day 2026 in Israel is marked with deeper emotional weight, national sensitivity, and renewed reflection. This article explores the meaning of Yom HaShoah in Israel and around the world, the memorial siren, public ceremonies, respectful conduct, and the responsibility to preserve Holocaust memory with precision, dignity, and humanity.
Explore the similarities and differences between Passover and Easter, from shared roots and customs to holiday etiquette, gifts, dress code and table manners.
Looking for the right Passover 2026 gift? Discover a thoughtful guide to holiday gifting during wartime, from shopping vouchers and local businesses to meaningful gestures, etiquette, and gifts that truly matte
Yom Kippur reminds us to reflect, apologize and seek forgiveness, but the ability to say “I’m sorry” is an essential skill throughout the year. How can we apologize sincerely without making excuses? Why can the word “but” undermine an apology? And what does it mean to accept an apology or forgive someone who has hurt us? Tami Lancut Leibovitz explores the etiquette, emotional intelligence and human respect behind a meaningful apology.
