Jerusalem is preparing to celebrate Sigd, one of the most significant holidays in the Ethiopian Jewish tradition, with a series of events throughout November 2026. Alongside the traditional religious gathering associated with the holiday, the city will host neighborhood celebrations, youth activities, musical performances and a central event at the Museum of Tolerance. For generations, Sigd symbolized the Ethiopian Jewish community’s longing for Jerusalem. Today, celebrating the holiday in the city itself carries particular historical and spiritual significance.
What Is Sigd and Why Is It Celebrated in Jerusalem?
Sigd falls on the 29th of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, 50 days after Yom Kippur. The holiday represents spiritual renewal, reflection, communal unity and the enduring aspiration to return to Jerusalem.
In Ethiopia, Jewish communities traditionally climbed mountains to fast and pray under the leadership of their religious authorities, known as Kessim. In Israel, Jerusalem has become the main center of the celebrations, particularly the area around the Armon Hanatziv Promenade, where thousands gather for prayers and community events.
In 2026, Sigd falls on November 9, although celebrations and cultural activities will continue throughout the month.
The main municipal event, organized in cooperation with the state corporation, will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at 5:00 p.m. at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem.
Where Are the Sigd Celebrations in Jerusalem in November 2026?
Five Jerusalem neighborhoods will host community celebrations, offering residents from different backgrounds an opportunity to discover Ethiopian Jewish traditions.
- Neve Yaakov: November 8, from 3:00 p.m., at the Yerusalem Spiritual Center, 38 Neve Yaakov Boulevard.
- Pisgat Ze’ev: November 9, at 6:00 p.m., at the Pisgat Ze’ev Community Center.
- Katamon: November 10, at 6:30 p.m., at the Kangaroo Center, 5 Bar Yochai Street.
- Ir Ganim: November 11, at 4:30 p.m., at 7 Dahomey Street.
- East Talpiot: November 16, at 4:30 p.m., at Keshet Talpaz School, 13 David Raziel Street.
Beyond the neighborhood celebrations, educational activities will introduce younger generations to Ethiopian Jewish history and heritage. Participating institutions include Teddy Kollek School, Keshet Talpaz School, the Municipal Youth Council and the Yerusalem Heritage Center in Neve Yaakov.
Music will also play a role in this year’s celebrations. On November 8, at 9:30 p.m., the Nava Bibi Auditorium will host “When Folk Meets Afro,” a performance presented as part of the Colors of Poetry Festival and the Fringe Festival for Original Jewish Culture.
Performers Yifat Klinger Goren and Dorin Levi will share the stage for the first time, joined by special guest Netiela Sababa. Their performance will combine indie, Afro and soul influences while exploring personal identity and the search for inner peace.
Beyond the festivities, Sigd brings an ancient Jewish heritage into Jerusalem’s public life. For centuries, Ethiopian Jews preserved their connection to a city they had never seen but never stopped dreaming of reaching. Today, that connection is celebrated in the streets of Jerusalem itself.
