Israeli Families Face Significant Holiday Spending Surge

The upcoming Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot holidays are expected to add approximately 3,500 shekels to the average Israeli family's expenses, even without factoring in travel or hotel costs. This estimate, calculated for a hypothetical family of two working parents and three children aged six to ten, comes after a summer already marked by significant spending on summer camps and school supplies.

The holiday meal expenses alone could reach up to 1,700 shekels. Hosting two holiday meals for ten guests can cost around 660 shekels per meal, considering the price of meat, fish, vegetables, wine, and other staples. If the family also contributes to two other meals or brings gifts, an additional 400 shekels is factored in.

Beyond meals, holiday vacation days necessitate additional outings. A family trip to the Safari costs 645 shekels, while the Biblical Zoo is 350 shekels and the Science Museum is 235 shekels for a family. Adding in three meals out, including one during a day trip to the north (which also includes entrance fees to sites like Banias and potential tolls), along with snacks and fuel, contributes significantly to the overall holiday cost.

These increased holiday expenditures are occurring against a backdrop of rising food prices, which have increased by about 19% between January 2022 and October 2025. Specific holiday items like meat, honey, and wine have also seen price hikes. Furthermore, rising costs for utilities like property taxes, electricity, and water are impacting both households and businesses, leading to higher prices in restaurants.

For families already struggling financially, these additional holiday costs can exacerbate debt. A family starting the holidays with a deficit could end them with a significantly larger debt, potentially taking nearly a year to repay even with monthly savings of 500 shekels, excluding interest and unforeseen expenses.