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This year, Yom HaAtzma’ut (literally: "Day of Independence") falls on Monday, April 23. For a Jews for Jesus summary of Israel’s Independence Day, as well as articles, poems and personal stories relating to Israel, go to: http://www.jewsforjesus.org/judaica/yomhaazmaut

Lag Ba’omer falls on Sunday May 6. An “omer” refers to an ancient Hebrew measure of grain, amounting to about 3.6 litres. Biblical law forbade any use of the new barley crop until an omer was brought as an offering to the Temple in Jerusalem. The Book of Leviticus (23:15-16) also commanded: "And from the day on which you bring the offering…you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete." This commandment led to the practice of the Sefirat Ha'omer, or the forty-nine days of the "Counting of the Omer." The omer is counted from the second day of Passover and ends on Shavuot (Pentecost). Lag Ba'omer refers to the thirty-third day of the counting of the omer. For a Jews for Jesus summary of the holiday go to: http://www.jewsforjesus.org/judaica/lagbaomer