Sigd
The Ethiopian Jewish community's headline holiday, recognized as a national holiday in 2008 — main observance in Jerusalem with parallel events in 36 cities.
When
29 Cheshvan (late October / early November)
Next observance
2026-11-19
What is Sigd?
Sigd is a central holiday in the Ethiopian Jewish calendar — celebrated since the 15th century. The holiday marks the renewal of the covenant between the Children of Israel and God, modeled on the return to Zion in the Book of Nehemiah. In 2008, the Sigd Day Law was enacted, and it is now a national holiday in the State of Israel.
Sigd 2026 falls on 19 November 2026 (29 Cheshvan 5787).
2026 events calendar
| City | Event | Approx. date | |------|-------|-------------| | Jerusalem — Armon Hanatziv | Main ceremony, ~5,000 attendees | 19.11.2026 | | Netanya | Municipal ceremony + traditional market | 19.11.2026 | | Rehovot | Community ceremony | 19.11.2026 | | Beersheba | Community event + dancing | 19.11.2026 | | Haifa | Park ceremony | 19.11.2026 | | Ashdod | Sigd festival | 19.11.2026 | | Ramla / Lod | Joint event | 19.11.2026 |
The Jerusalem ceremony — what to expect
The Jerusalem ceremony is the largest — tens of thousands celebrate together since 1993 at the scenic Armon Hanatziv promenade.
Ceremony schedule (approximate):
- 07:00 — Kessim ascend with Hu'at scrolls (Ethiopian Torah)
- 08:00–12:00 — Prayers and liturgical songs led by Kessim; fasting until noon
- 12:00 — Breaking the fast + celebrations
- 14:00–18:00 — Music and dance performances
- 18:00+ — Community singing and dancing
What to bring
- White clothing (traditional, but not mandatory)
- Food to break the fast (injera/doro wat are popular)
- Folding chair or blanket to sit on
- Water (fasting from water is permitted, but drinking from noon onward is recommended)
- Cushion for children for the long sitting
Getting to Jerusalem
- Organised transport from most absorption cities (usually free — check with your municipality or local community)
- Train to Jerusalem then bus 78/78a to Armon Hanatziv
- Parking: very limited — public transport strongly recommended
The Kessim — who are they?
The Kessim are the rabbis of Ethiopian Judaism — they grew into their role before the aliyah to Israel. They lead the ceremonies, teach the traditional prayer melodies, and preserve the Orit — the Ethiopian version of the Torah.
Funding for Sigd activities
There is a government right subsidizing local Sigd activities (ceremonies, education, transportation). See Sigd funding — right for details.
See also
Sigd in cities
Related rights
Related organizations
- Beta Israel of North America (BINA)Umbrella organization of the Ethiopian-Jewish community in North America. Funds Israeli projects and builds inter-community bridges.
- Israeli Association for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ)Community umbrella and primary advocacy organization. Leads the Falash Mura family-reunification campaign and runs senior centers.
Related terms
- SigdAn Ethiopian-Jewish community holiday observed on the 29th of Heshvan. Law 5774-2008 recognizes it as an official Israeli holiday.
- KessimThe traditional religious leaders of Beta Israel. In Israel today they are recognized as religious-cultural authorities but are not integrated into the official Chief Rabbinate.
