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 that already strained household budgets due to summer camps and back-to-school shopping.

The holiday spending includes costs for hosting or attending festive meals, estimated at up to 1,700 shekels. This figure accounts for hosting two holiday meals for ten people, with groceries like beef, salmon, vegetables, wine, and desserts. Additional costs arise from bringing gifts or food when attending other families' meals.

Beyond meals, the 18-day holiday period necessitates entertainment for children. The article outlines potential costs for outings such as a family trip to the Safari (645 shekels), the Biblical Zoo (350 shekels), or the Science Museum (235 shekels). Dining out during these excursions, with a sample cost of 350 shekels for a family of five at a burger restaurant, further increases the holiday budget. A trip to the Banias Nature Reserve (110 shekels) and tolls on Route 6 (up to 86 shekels round trip) are also factored in, alongside fuel and snacks.

These additional holiday expenses are compounded by a general rise in the cost of living. Food prices have increased by about 19% between January 2022 and October 2025. While some specific holiday items like meat, honey, and wine saw price increases of 4-7% leading up to Rosh Hashanah 2026, the overall food basket price saw a slight decrease in one consumer council survey. However, rising costs for utilities like property taxes, electricity, and water also impact businesses, leading to higher menu prices.

For families already struggling financially, these added holiday costs can be particularly burdensome. An organization called "Pitum L'ev" reported a 20% increase in the cost of a holiday food basket over two years. The article suggests that a family entering the holidays with a small deficit could end up with a deficit of around 4,500 shekels, potentially taking nearly a year to repay, even with savings, before accounting for interest and unexpected expenses.