How To Celebrate Birthdays The Israeli Way

Birthdays are a momentous occasion for a lot of people, so they need to be celebrated with glitz and glamour! And knowing the right way to celebrate your friends’ or loved ones’ birthday can make the day all the more special for them.

While birthdays are important globally, they hold special significance in Israel. Here are some milestone birthdays that are celebrated with great importance.

Double Birthdays

Everyone waits eagerly for their birthday every year; it’s a painful wait, but one that’s worth it when the day arrives. However, when you’re Jewish, you only have to wait half the amount since you can celebrate your birthday twice a year!

Due to the following of the Hebrew calendar alongside the civil Gregorian calendar, most Israelis have not one but two birthdays! So, don’t be surprised when your Jewish friend expects double the gifts, as many Israelis will celebrate both.

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs

In Jewish tradition, coming of age is a monumental cause for celebration for boys and girls alike. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are celebrations that are held to welcome teenage boys and girls into adulthood and introduce them to the responsibilities and norms expected out of a Jewish adult.

The ceremony is often religious, with the reading of the Torah, wearing of a traditional prayer dress, and a speech outlining the roles and responsibilities the birthday boy or girl hopes to follow through with!

It’s a joyous occasion, which is followed by a feast and rejoicing through dance and music. Perhaps one of the most significant moments in a young Jewish person’s life, you don’t want to pass up on attending a Bar Mitzvah!

How To Say Happy Birthday In Hebrew

Special birthday greetings always feel more personal and closer to the heart. Not sure how to congratulate your Israeli friend on their birthday? Try these Hebrew birthday greetings!

Yom Huladet Sameach: This greeting translates to “Happy Birthday,” well, it actually translates to Day Birth Happy, but that’s the order you are expected to say the words in Hebrew.

Mazal Tov: A more popular phrase, this greeting translates to “Good luck” and is used for any joyous occasion, including birthdays, weddings, graduations, etc.

Ad Meah Ve Esrim: A more religious greeting, this phrase translates to “Until 120”, which is a reference to Genesis 6:3.

Want to learn more Hebrew phrases, or want to brush up on your language skills? Get in touch with us at Ulpan-Or. We provide online Hebrew courses that can help you get a firm grasp of the language. Contact us today for more information!