Jewish : Celebrates defeat of plot to destroy the Jews of Persia. In Shushan, the capital of Persia, King Ahasuerus married Esther, and made her his queen. He was not aware that she was Jewish. When Esther's cousin, Mordecai, bothered the king's prime minister, Haman, the prime minister became enraged and finally convinced the king that the Jews should all be put to death. After a three-day fast, Esther revealed to the king her identity as a Jew, and indulged him to save her people. The king spared the Jews, hung Haman, and made Mordecai his new sovereign. In israel, other businesses remain open

Jewish :

Jewish : Jewish Easter for the Jewish community only

Jewish : Passover; deliverance of the Jewish people from Egypt. The Seder service on the first two evenings recounts the story of the Exodus

Jewish : Celebration of Moses' descent from Mt Sinai with the ten commandments. Plants and flowers are used in decorations.

Jewish : Commemorates the Wall's profanation

Jewish : Jewish new year for the Jewish community only

Jewish :

Jewish :

Jewish : Yom Kippur observed by the Jewish community

Jewish : Yom Kippur

Jewish : Day of Atonement. This holiest day of the Jewish year is observed with strict fasting and ceremonial repentance.

Jewish : As for Passover and Shavu'ot, Sukkot has a dual meaning: agricultural and historical. Celebraion of the 40 years spent by the children of Israel in huts in the desert. This explains the tradition of dwelling in huts during that period.