Israel’s former Mother’s Day was associated with 30 Shevat in the Hebrew calendar.
The date was chosen to coincide with the yahrzeit—the anniversary of the death—of Henrietta Szold, who died on 30 Shevat 5705, corresponding to 13 February 1945. Szold never had biological children, but she was widely regarded as a mother figure because of her humanitarian work.
She helped lead Hadassah and directed Youth Aliyah, an organization that rescued and assisted Jewish children, including young refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe. Her connection with children made her death date a meaningful choice for an Israeli celebration honoring mothers.
In the late twentieth century, Israel broadened the observance from Mother’s Day to Family Day, or Yom HaMishpacha, to recognize the contribution of the whole family. The date remains 30 Shevat, but its meaning is no longer limited to mothers. It is not the same as 1 Tishrei, the Jewish New Year, or 15 Nisan, associated with Passover.