With the Jewish high holidays quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to follow our prayers and “spend next year in Israel.” For individuals traveling to Israel to celebrate the high holidays, there are a variety of Selichot events taking place at the Western Wall to commemorate the most holy days in the Jewish faith.
In the heart of Jerusalem, against the ancient stones of the Western Wall, Selichot prayers, one of the most moving experiences in the Jewish calendar, takes place each year. The tradition is divided among the communities of Israel.
• Sephardic Jews begin the Selichot season at the start of the month of Elul, on Aug. 23, as part of the “month of mercy.”
• Ashkenazi Jews join from the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, and together they all reach their peak during the Ten Days of Repentance, the sacred time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
This year, continuing a longstanding tradition, tens of thousands of worshipers and visitors are expected at the Western Wall complex for Rosh Hashanah. The response includes additional central Selichot services with advanced sound systems, giant screens and live streaming – ensuring that everyone who comes can participate in the experience. Beyond the prayers themselves, a culture of popular “Selichot tours” has developed in recent years. Routes leading through the Western Wall Tunnels, the historic neighborhoods of Bukharim and Nachalot, and through the vibrant Mahane Yehuda Market.
In the hours before midnight, the Old City weaves its own story. Some guests choose to stroll through the Jewish Quarter, others meet for a meal at one of Jerusalem’s restaurants and some prefer to relax on the nearby Mamilla Boulevard. Everyone prepares in their own way for the encounter with the sacred. Jerusalem offers a wide variety of ways to experience the Selichot period – from organized tours to independent experiences, from culinary connections to spiritual journeys in the Jewish Quarter.
For any travelers who are looking to plan a last-minute trip to celebrate the high holidays in the Holy Land, United Airlines officially reinstated twice daily flights from Newark International Airport (EWR) to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) on July 21, 2025.
