Experience Compassion
Bring the Ritual to Your Table
New Year for Animals
Transforming an Ancient Jewish Holiday
Jewish Vegan Life invites communities around the world to celebrate a powerful and inspiring Jewish tradition: the New Year for Animals, in Hebrew Rosh Hashanah LaBehemah, and in Israel Rosh Hashanah L’Ba’alei Chaim, ראש השנה לבעלי חיים.
This special day offers an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between humans and animals, recognize our responsibility toward all creatures, and imagine a more compassionate future rooted in Jewish values.
Just as Rosh Hashanah invites us to renew ourselves and the world around us, the New Year for Animals calls us to expand our circle of compassion and consider how our choices impact the animals who share our planet.
Through gatherings, learning, community, food, music, and reflection, people from diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate animals and explore the deep connections between Judaism, sustainability, and compassionate living.
Join Jewish Vegan Life communities in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Jerusalem, and around the world through our global livestream celebration.
Why Celebrate the New Year for Animals?
Jewish tradition has long recognized the importance of kindness toward animals.
The Torah teaches that humans have a responsibility to care for creation and that animals are worthy of compassion and protection. From the mitzvah of preventing animal suffering to the teachings of Jewish sages throughout history, Judaism offers a profound framework for building a more compassionate relationship with the natural world.
The New Year for Animals is a moment to bring these values into action.
It is a time to:
- Celebrate the beauty and dignity of animals
- Learn from Jewish teachings about compassion and stewardship
- Connect with others who believe in a kinder world
- Enjoy delicious plant based food that reflects our values
- Commit to choices that create a more sustainable future
Celebrate With Us Around the World
This year, Jewish Vegan Life communities will gather across continents for meaningful celebrations that bring together Jewish tradition, vegan values, and community connection.
Los Angeles Celebration
Join Jewish Vegan Life for a unique New Year for Animals Celebration Seder, led by Rabbi Jonathan Bernhard, as we reimagine Rosh Hashanah LaBehemah through a modern Jewish lens. Held in West Hollywood, this interactive seder offers insightful teachings and gourmet vegan dining. It is a welcoming space for exploring compassion for all living beings.
Date: August 13, 2026
Washington DC Celebration
The DC Tikkun Circle hosts a special community dinner in Dupont Circle to celebrate the New Year for Animals. Partnering with the Veg Society of DC and DC Voters for Animals, this gathering focuses on reflection, plant-based food, and discussions on Jewish wisdom and compassion for animals.
Date: Aug 9, 2026
Pittsburgh Celebration
The Pittsburgh Jewish Vegan Life community transforms the New Year for Animals at Beit Kulanu. In partnership with Humane Action Pennsylvania and Beit Kulanu, the evening features a guided Elul Seder of Compassion and a plant-based gourmet dinner.
Date: Aug 13, 2026
Montreal Celebration
Join the Jewish Vegan Life community in Montreal for a special New Year for Animals gathering with Rabbi Boris Dolin. Together, we will come together around food, Jewish learning, and community to explore the meaning of the New Year for Animals and the connection between Jewish tradition, compassion, and our relationship with animals.
Date: August 9, 2026
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Jerusalem Celebration| ראש השנה לבעלי חיים
Join Jewish Vegan Life and Ginger for a community Vegan Potluck in Jerusalem. The event explores Jewish teachings on compassion and stewardship.
Date: August 13
Global Livestream Celebration
Can’t join an in person gathering? Be part of the global celebration from wherever you are.
In partnership with the Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, Good Food Institute, and Mercy for Animals, our worldwide livestream will bring together voices, communities, and teachings from across the Jewish vegan movement for a shared moment of learning, inspiration, and connection.
The livestream will feature:
- Inspiring speakers and Jewish educators
- Reflections on compassion and animal ethics
- The spiritual significance for the New Year for Animals
Join thousands of people around the world as we celebrate a new year of compassion.
Date: August 9, 2026
Bring the New Year for Animals to Your Community
The New Year for Animals is more than a single event. It is an invitation to create a lasting movement of compassion.
Whether you are joining a local gathering, participating in the livestream, hosting your own celebration, or simply taking time to reflect on your relationship with animals, you are part of a global community working toward a more compassionate future.
Together, we can build a world where Jewish values inspire greater kindness, justice, and care for all living beings.
Join the Celebration
Register for an event near you or join the global livestream.
Together, we celebrate animals.
Together, we renew our commitment to compassion.
Together, we create a more caring world.
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