Israelis mark Lag Ba'Omer with a day off school and giant bonfires, usually made from scrap wood gathered by children weeks in advance. It's a big holiday there, and Israelis living in the United States are often surprised at how little we know about Lag Ba'omer, which this year begins the evening of May 25.
Lag Ba’Omer, a break during the 49 days of mourning between Passover and Shavuot, dates back to the time of the ancient Romans. Its precise purpose is debated, but the main reasons are the ending of a plague that afflicted the students of famed Rabbi Akiva and the rebellion led by Bar Kochba again Roman oppression.
Today, this holiday is a joyful time for taking children on picnics and sharing stories of our scholars and heroes who kept the light of Torah learning alive. 
Connect children to this popular Israeli holiday with A Holiday for Ari Ant, a new Apples & Honey book, by Sylvia Rouss. Ari Ant wants to celebrate Lag Ba'Omer with the children at their picnic and campfire. But when he bites into a plastic cookie, gets covered in sand, and steps in a puddle of glue, will he ever get to join the fun? Finally he gets to enjoy the best of what the holiday offers - stories, picnics, and a campfire with friends.
An author’s note at the end explains the origins of Lag Ba’Omer. Sylvia Rouss is an award-winning author and early childhood educator, who created the popular Sammy Spider and the Littlest books.
To read about how Israeli immigrants celebrate Lag Ba'Omer in the U.S., click here.
