Jewish Calendar Year 5759
(1999-2000)

Tu B'Shevat
15 Shevat (February 1, 1999)
Jewish Arbor Day. Celebration of new fruits and the land of Israel. No eulogies or daily prayers of mourning said. Some add special services.
Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

Fast of Esther
13 Adar (March 1, 1999)
Fast begins at first morning light. Commemorates the fast of Queen Esther in order to save the Jewish people of ancient Persia (Late 6th century B.C.E.), and the subsequent victory of the Jewish people over their enemies.
Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

Purim
14 Adar (March 2, 1999)
Commemorates the rescue of the Jewish people in ancient Persia (Late 6th century B.C.E.). Celebrated with feasts, special prayers, the reading of the Book of Esther, the sending of gifts from friend to friend, and extra charity.
Work Restrictions: Limited restrictions on work.

Shushan Purim
15 Adar (March 3, 1999)
Purim in cities surrounded by walls from the days of Joshua such as Jerusalem - see inside for details.
Work Restrictions: Limited restrictions on work.

Passover
15-21 Nissan (15-22 in Diaspora)
Israel: April 1-7, 1999
Diaspora: April 1-8, 1999
Commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from ancient Egypt. Special dietary restrictions beginning the morning of the previous day. No foods containing fermented grain products - Chometz - maybe consumed or found in any Jewish household. Special family meal - the "Seder" - conducted during the first evening in Israel and the first 2 evenings in the Diaspora. Memorial (Yizkor) services are said on 7th day in Israel, 8th dayin the Diaspora. 
Work Restrictions:
Israel: Sabbath like restrictions on the first and last days (15 & 21 Nissan). Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited during other days.
Diaspora: Sabbath like restrictions on the first 2 and last 2 days (15&16 & 21&22 Nissan). Non-essential work activities or crafts prohibited during other days.

Yom Hashoah
27 Nissan (April 13, 1999)
Holocaust Memorial Day - Special memorial prayers are said.
Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

Yom Hazikaron Lechalalei Ma'arachot Yisrael
4 Iyar (April 20, 1999)
Israel Defence Forces Memorial Day - Special memorial prayers are said.
Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

Yom Ha'atzmaut
5 Iyar (April 21, 1999)
Israel Independence Day. Many add special thanksgiving prayers and celebratory feast.
Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

Lag B'aomer
18 Iyar (May 4, 1999)
Break in the mourning period for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva (2nd century). Only day in 49-day period when weddings permitted.
No special services.
Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

Yom Yerushalayim
28 Iyar (May 14, 1999)
Jerusalem Reunification Day. Many add special thanksgiving prayers and celebratory feast.
Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

Shavuot
6 Sivan - Israel (6 & 7 In Diaspora)
Israel: May 21, 1999
Diaspora: May 21-22, 1999
Moses Recieves The Torah (Pentecost) - Celebrating G-d's giving of the Torah and Ten Commandments to the Jews at Mt. Sinai. Memorial (Yizkor) services said (on 2nd day in diaspora).
Work Restrictions: Sabbath-like work restrictions one day in Israel - two days in diaspora.

Fast of Shiva Asar B'Tammuz
17 Tammuz (July 1, 1999)
Fast Day Lamenting Breach of Jerusalem Walls - Fast begins at first morning light. Commemorates the breach of the walls of Jerusalem by the besieging ancient Romans (Ist century C.E.). Start of 3 week period during which weddings and celebrations are forbidden.
Work Restrictions: No restrictions on work.

Fast of Tisha B'Av
9 Av (July 21-22, 1999)
Fast Day Lamenting Destruction of Temples - Fast begins prior to sunset and concludes at sunset of next day. Anniversary of the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, and other Jewish tragedies. Climax of three week mourning period and, within those weeks, of a more intense nine-day mourning period. Special mourning customs and prayers.
Work Restrictions: Limited restrictions work through mid-day.

Elul
(August 13- September 10, 1999)
The month of repentance and personal reflection

We IY"H expect completion of this section in the winter months.

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