Jewish holidays in Greece: Chabad, synagogues and kosher food in Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes and Crete
Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah and Pesach in Greece: every Chabad house, synagogue and kosher restaurant in the cities Israelis love most, with addresses and hours.
- Simchat Torah in Greece: 3–4 October 2026. Hanukkah: 4–12 December.
- All four cities have a Chabad house with holiday meals by advance registration.
- The synagogues in Rhodes and Chania are closed to visitors on Jewish holidays.
Spending a holiday in Greece? Register for the Chabad meal a few days ahead and bring your passport to synagogue. This page is updated before every holiday.
Upcoming holidays (5787)
All holidays begin at sunset on the first date.
| Holiday | Dates |
|---|---|
| Sukkot | 25 September to 2 October 2026 (Hoshana Rabbah on 2 October) |
| Shemini Atzeret | 2 to 3 October 2026 |
| Simchat Torah (diaspora) | 3 to 4 October 2026. In Israel it is one day, 3 October |
| Hanukkah | 4 to 12 December 2026 |
| Purim | 22 to 23 March 2027 (leap year, Adar II) |
| Pesach | 21 to 29 April 2027 (diaspora) |
Note: synagogues that also work as museums (in Rhodes and Chania) are closed to visitors on Jewish holidays. Check ahead.
Athens: Chabad, kosher food and synagogue
- Chabad of Greece: Rabbi Mendel and Nechama Hendel. Aisopou 10, Psiri. Tel 210 323 3825, chabad.gr. Holiday and Shabbat meals by advance registration. A mikvah is nearby.
- Kosher food:
- Gostijo – glatt meat restaurant in the Chabad building (Aisopou 10). Sun–Thu 13:30–21:30.
- Parakalo – dairy café, Mikonos 18, Psiri. Sun 9:00–21:30, Mon–Thu 8:00–21:30, Fri 8:00–15:00, and Saturday night.
- Kosher grocery in the Chabad building (e-kosher.gr).
- Beth Shalom Synagogue: Melidoni 5, near Thissio. Shacharit Monday and Saturday at 8:30, Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday. ID is required at the entrance; you can send a passport copy and visit dates to the community in advance.
- Jewish Community of Athens: Melidoni 8, tel 210 220 7070, athjcom.gr.
More in Athens: synagogues, the Holocaust Memorial and the Jewish Museum, and every kosher restaurant in Greece.
Thessaloniki: Chabad and synagogues
- Chabad of Thessaloniki: Salaminos 9. Shabbat and holiday meals by registration at jewishthessaloniki.com. WhatsApp: +30 693 986 5991.
- Kosher food: Hashalom meat restaurant and a kosher grocery at the same address (Salaminos 9), plus dairy and meat catering by delivery.
- Synagogues: Monastirioton (Syngrou 35) and Yad Lezikaron (Vasileos Irakleiou 24, currently closed to visitors according to the city's tourism site). Monastirioton holds prayers mainly on special days, so check ahead.
- Jewish Community of Thessaloniki: jct.gr.
History, the Jewish Museum and what to see: the Jewish community of Thessaloniki.
Rhodes: Chabad and Kahal Shalom synagogue
- Chabad of Rhodes: Leof. Iraklidon 84, Ialysos – not in the Old Town. Daily and Shabbat prayers, Shabbat meals by booking, and kosher catering for Shabbat and holidays. Jerusalem meat restaurant at the same address. chabadrhodes.com.
- Kahal Shalom Synagogue and Jewish Museum: Old Town, corner of Dossiadou and Simiou. Apr–Oct: Sun–Fri 10:00–15:00; Nov–Mar: Mon–Fri 10:00–15:00. Closed on Jewish and Greek holidays. Entry €6. jewishrhodes.org. More: Kahal Shalom in Rhodes. Full guide: Chabad of Rhodes and the Jewish quarter.
Crete: Chabad in Hersonissos and Etz Hayyim in Chania
- Chabad of Crete: in Hersonissos, El. Venizelou 44. Kosher taverna and grocery, Shabbat meals by registration, and Shabbat kits delivered to hotels. The site also mentions Sukkot and Simchat Torah events. Seasonal, so check first outside the tourist season. WhatsApp: +30 695 588 0500, chabadcrete.com.
- Etz Hayyim Synagogue, Chania: Parodos Kondylaki. Mon–Thu 10:00–16:00, Fri 10:00–15:00. Closed at weekends and on Greek holidays. Entry €4. More: Etz Hayyim in Chania.
- We did not find an active kosher restaurant in Heraklion or Chania. Full guide: Chabad of Crete.
Tips for a holiday in Greece
- Every Chabad house in Greece, including Mykonos in summer, in one place: Chabad in Greece.
- Chabad holiday meals always need advance registration and fill up fast.
- At synagogues bring your passport. In Athens it is required at the door.
- Shabbat and Jewish holidays are normal working days in Greece, so shops are open. The other way round, much is closed on Greek holidays: Greek holidays and shop hours.
FAQ
Where is Chabad in Athens?
At Aisopou 10 in Psiri. Tel 210 323 3825. Shabbat and holiday meals by advance registration.
Is there a kosher restaurant in Athens?
Yes. Gostijo, a meat restaurant in the Chabad building, and the dairy café Parakalo at Mikonos 18 in Psiri.
Do I need a passport to enter a synagogue in Athens?
Yes. Beth Shalom synagogue asks for ID at the entrance, and you can send a passport copy and your visit dates to the community in advance.
Is there Chabad in Rhodes and Crete?
Yes. In Rhodes, Chabad is in Ialysos, with the Jerusalem meat restaurant. In Crete, Chabad is in Hersonissos and operates seasonally.
Details checked on the official sites of Chabad and the Jewish communities in Greece, October 2026. Hours and holiday meals can change, so contact them directly before you go.
