From the High Holidays to the wisdom of the Sages — in-depth guides on Jewish festivals, history, law, language, and the remarkable figures who shaped 3,500 years of living faith.
With Jewish communities spread across six continents, many families have lost connection to the traditions their grandparents practiced. OliveTreeRoots bridges that gap with clear, researched guides for every level of observance.
34+ Holidays
A Calendar Rich with Meaning
The Jewish calendar contains dozens of holidays, fast days, and commemorations — each with unique laws, customs, and liturgy. Our guides explain not just what to do, but why each observance matters and how it connects to Jewish history.
Free & Open
Torah Knowledge Should Be Accessible to All
Following the Talmudic principle that Torah belongs to everyone, all of our content is completely free. Whether you are a lifelong observer, a new convert, or simply curious — our guides welcome every reader equally.
OliveTreeRoots was founded in 2021 by Hannah Friedman and David Katz — two friends who grew up in different Jewish communities and shared a common frustration: the difficulty of finding clear, reliable, and accessible information about Jewish traditions online.
Hannah, who grew up in a Reform household in Boston, found herself wanting to learn more about the holidays her Orthodox grandmother had celebrated. David, raised in a traditional Sephardic family in Los Angeles, kept fielding questions from friends and colleagues curious about Jewish customs but unable to find straightforward answers.
Together, they built OliveTreeRoots as the resource they wished had existed — a comprehensive, welcoming guide to Jewish faith and culture that respects every denomination and level of observance. The name comes from the olive tree, a symbol of peace, wisdom, and deep roots in Jewish tradition.
"We believe that understanding your roots — or learning about someone else's — makes the world a better place."
— Hannah & David, Founders
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Hannah Friedman
Co-Founder · Content & Research
M.A. in Jewish Studies from Brandeis University. Former education director at a Boston-area synagogue. Hannah researches and writes every guide, drawing on both academic sources and conversations with rabbis across denominations.
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David Katz
Co-Founder · Design & Technology
B.S. in Computer Science from UCLA. Former web developer at a digital agency in LA. David handles the site architecture, design, and SEO — making sure the right guide reaches the right person at the right time.
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