Do Jewish People Celebrate Easter?

In Judaism, Jesus is not recognized as a Messiah. Thus, most Jewish people don't celebrate Easter, including both Orthodox Jews and Secular Jews. Jewish Christians—which can include people who converted to Christianity but kept their Jewish traditions—may celebrate the resurrection, along with Messianic Jews who celebrate the resurrection of Yeshua. For them, this is necessary to salvation (Romans 10:9).

Muslims (not just the ones in Israel, but everywhere) don't celebrate Easter, as they don't believe in the concept of resurrection. Secular Jews also don't celebrate Easter, and might also not celebrate Passover (see below).

Since that is the case, is Easter celebrated at all in Israel?

Is Easter Celebrated in Israel?

Easter is celebrated with a wonderful spirit in Israel. Christians come from all over the world on a pilgrimage to see the important locations involved in the Easter story, such as the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem. One of the biggest and most exciting events around this time in Israel is the procession of thousands of Christians through the Old City along the Via Dolorosa.

What Do Jewish People Celebrate Instead of Easter?

On the first day of the Week of Unleavened Bread, commonly called “Passover” (Leviticus 23:9-15), or "Pesach." This observance is called “Bikkurim,” meaning “first fruits.” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Along with this, most Jewish people (non-Messianic) have been celebrating their own Passover festival around the time of Easter since before the time of Jesus. It honors the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their amazing escape from slavery. A holy 'Seder' (ritual dinner) is held among families on the first or second night. For a week afterward, Jewish people abstain from leavened bread (bread which has risen) and sometimes other things too. This is to pay homage to the historic slaves, who did not have time to wait for their bread to rise as they had to flee. At this time, a flatbread called Matzo is eaten.

In 2022, Passover is celebrated from Sunset April 15 to Nightfall April 22.

Interested in other Jewish traditions? Read Do Jews Celebrate Christmas?