SMS for Israeli Holidays: A Full Marketing Calendar with Templates

Holidays = opportunities

The Israeli calendar is a marketing machine. Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, Independence Day, Shavuot — and that's before we've even gotten to Black Friday and global sales days. Every holiday is an opportunity to send a message the customer actually wants to receive.

We've put together a full marketing calendar with ready templates. Save this article — you'll need it all year.

September–October: the big holiday season

Rosh Hashanah (2 days)

When to send: a week before + the eve of the holiday

For food/restaurants:

"Happy new year from [name]! 🍎🍯 Order your holiday meal — the special Rosh Hashanah menu is on the site. Orders by Wednesday: [link]"

For stores:

"[name], new year — new style! 🎉 20% off the new collection for Rosh Hashanah. In stores and online until the weekend: [link]"

General greeting (any business):

"Happy and sweet new year! 🍯 The [business name] family wishes you and your family a year of health, joy, and success."

Yom Kippur

When to send: 2–3 days before (not on the day!)

"Gmar hatima tova from the [business] team. 🕊️ We'll be back after the holiday with a small surprise. Easy fast!"

Note: don't sell anything around Yom Kippur. Greeting only. Any marketing attempt on that day will land badly.

Sukkot

For home & garden:

"Is the sukkah ready? 🌿 Decorations, string lights, and holiday tablecloths — all 15% off until erev Sukkot: [link]"

For restaurants/catering:

"Chol hamoed = family meals 🍽️ Special Sukkot menu + family discount. To order: [link]"

November–December: Black Friday and gift season

Black Friday / Cyber Monday

When to send: teaser a week before, message on the day, "last hours" reminder

Teaser:

"🖤 Black Friday at [name] starts in 3 days! Hint: the discounts will be the biggest we've ever given. Ready? Follow: [link]"

Day of:

"🖤 It starts now! Up to 60% off everything. Just 24 hours. No extensions. Come in: [link]"

Last hours:

"⏰ 3 hours left on Black Friday! After midnight everything returns to full price. Last chance: [link]"

Hanukkah (8 days!)

8 days = 8 opportunities. No need to send every day, but 2–3 messages during the holiday work great.

"Happy third candle! 🕎 A Hanukkah gift from [name]: free shipping on any order today. Code: HANUKKAH. [link]"

February–March: love and joy

Valentine's / Tu B'Av (Israeli version)

"💕 Looking for a gift? Special love bundles — from ₪99. Home delivery tomorrow! [link]"

Purim

"Happy Purim! 🎭 Mishloach manot from [name] — because your friends deserve it. To order by Wednesday: [link]"

March–April: Passover

Passover

For supermarkets/food:

"Passover cleaning in full swing! 🧹 All cleaning products 20% off + kosher-for-Passover deals. In stores and online: [link]"

For restaurants:

"Seder night at [name]! 🍷 Special holiday menu, kosher for Passover, fixed price of [X] ILS per diner. Limited seats — book: [link]"

For fashion:

"New for Passover! 🌸 The spring collection is here. Holiday dresses, suits, shoes. 15% off with the code PESACH: [link]"

April–May: Independence Day and Shavuot

Independence Day

"🇮🇱 Happy Independence Day! Having a BBQ? We've got it all — meat, salads, drinks. BBQ orders: [link]"

Shavuot

"Shavuot = cheesecake 🧀 Book in advance: fresh dairy cakes, delivered to your door. [link]"

Rules for sending SMS on holidays

• Send early enough — holiday eve is too late. Give people time to decide and act

• Don't send on the holiday itself (except a short greeting without a sale)

• Greeting before sale — the first message is a greeting. The second can be a promo

• Match the tone — Yom Kippur ≠ Purim. Hanukkah ≠ Memorial Day

• Plan ahead — don't wait until the day before. Prepare messages, schedule ahead, and everything runs smoothly

Plan the year with Vibrate

In Vibrate you can schedule campaigns for the whole year: set the message, choose the audience, pick date and time — and the system does the rest. Start free and start planning.