Festivals and celebrationsNorth AmericaJewish
Yom HaHatzalah
In its own language: יום ההצלה
A Sat Hasidic holiday marking the rescue of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum from the Holocaust on the 21st of Kislev.
This annual observance falls on the twenty-first day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. It is kept primarily by Sat Hasidim to celebrate the liberation of their leader, Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, from Nazi custody in 1944. The day involves feasting and prayer.
When is Yom HaHatzalah kept?
Yom HaHatzalah is kept every year on the 21st day of the Hebrew month of Kislev.
The 21st of Kislev marks a major holiday for Sat Hasidim. It commemorates the rescue of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum from the Holocaust. He was freed from a train in Hungary and reached safety in Switzerland. Followers hold an annual feast to honor this event.
Origins and history
Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum was a prominent religious leader in pre-war Hungary. During the Holocaust, he was among 1,684 passengers on a transport known as the Kastner train. This group was moved out of Hungary under difficult conditions. On December 6, 1944, the rabbi stepped onto Swiss soil. This moment marked his escape from Nazi persecution. Later, he immigrated to the United States. There, he established the largest Hasidic community in the world. His followers view this rescue as a divine intervention worthy of celebration.
How it is kept
The day is observed with a major annual feast. Sat Hasidim gather to eat and pray together. The celebration honors the survival of their spiritual leader. Some other Hasidic groups with Austro-Hungarian roots also mark the occasion. The day serves as a reminder of the dangers faced during the war and the subsequent deliverance. It is a time for community bonding and expressing gratitude for the preservation of life and leadership.
Where it is celebrated
The tradition is strongest within Sat Hasidic communities. These groups are found in various parts of the world. The United States hosts a significant portion of this population. Hungary remains connected to the history of the rescue. The Kastner train journey began there. Today, the holiday is observed wherever Sat Hasidim have settled. The celebration maintains a link to their Hungarian heritage while thriving in new locations.
How Yom HaHatzalah is kept
Sat Hasidim observe the day with a large communal feast. They gather to share food and engage in prayer. The event honors the rescue of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum. Some related Hasidic groups also participate. The gathering reinforces community ties and remembers the historical escape from danger.
When and where
It falls on the 21st day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. In 1944, this corresponded to early December. The date shifts each year relative to the Gregorian calendar.
The tradition is centered in Sat Hasidic communities. These are found globally, with strong presence in the United States. The historical events took place in Hungary and Switzerland.
What Yom HaHatzalah means
The day symbolizes survival and divine protection. It marks the moment Rabbi Teitelbaum escaped death. For followers, it represents the continuity of their religious leadership. The feast celebrates the preservation of their community's future.
Questions people ask about Yom HaHatzalah
When is Yom HaHatzalah kept?
Yom HaHatzalah is kept every year on the 21st day of the Hebrew month of Kislev.
What is Yom HaHatzalah?
It is a holiday for Sat Hasidim held on the 21st of Kislev. It marks the rescue of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum from the Holocaust in 1944.
Who keeps this holiday?
It is primarily kept by Sat Hasidim. Some other Hasidic groups with Austro-Hungarian origins also commemorate the day.
Why is it important?
It celebrates the survival of their leader, Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum. He was rescued from a transport in Hungary and reached safety in Switzerland.
See also
ChristmasA festival of Jesus's birth, kept on 25 December with gifts, lights and shared meals
HalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritage
Valentine's DayA Christian feast day and cultural celebration of love kept on February 14 in many countries.
Labour DayA day honouring workers, kept on 1 May in most countries and on other dates elsewhereGood reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "21 Kislev", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-07.
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