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Jewish Customs & Holidays

Sabbath (SHABBAT in Hebrew) and Jewish holidays

Except for East Jerusalem, Haifa and Nazareth, public transportation doesn’t operate on the Jewish Sabbath - from sundown on Friday until Saturday evening (after dark). The same is true on Jewish holidays - from sundown until nightfall the next day. However, except for one day of the year (Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement), private transportation does operate, in the form of taxis and (in most major areas) jitney taxis (“Sherut” service).

Jewish dietary regulations

Just about every major hotel in Israel operates under rabbinical supervision, which means that only kosher food, prepared according to Jewish dietary regulations, is available. Among other restrictions, products made with pork or shellfish are not available. Meat and dairy products are not combined in a single meal - and most often, in a single dining room.

Outside the hotels, there are many fine restaurants which serve kosher and non-kosher quisine.  In the major cities there are many restaurants which remain open on Saturday.

In Arab centers of population, shops, restaurants and cafes remain open on Saturdays and nearly all Jewish holidays.