Introduce children to Lag Ba'Omer - a popular holiday in Israel - with A Holiday for Ari Ant, a new Apples & Honey book by award-winning author Sylvia Rouss.
Looking for some educational and fun ideas to celebrate Lag Ba'Omer with your students?
Lag Ba'Omer, which this year falls on May 25-26, is usually celebrated with campfires and field games, such as archery. In Israel, giant public celebrations are held throughout the country, celebrating the light of learning that was brought into the world during the times of Roman oppression.
The iCenter for Israel education offers this story: "The counterpart to fire - water -also features in a Lag Ba'Omer story about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. When the Romans outlawed the study of Torah, Rabbi Shimon spoke out against them and was forced into hiding in a cave in northern Israel. With no means of subsistence, a miracle occurred and a carob tree sprouted in the cave, along with a life-giving stream of water."
The Florentine Circus is a modern circus (no animal performances), combining contemporary dance, theater, and street performance. In 2012, it presented a new show called "Hinomizu" – a fire and water circus. The performance combined segments dedicated to both elements; fire – warm, sunny, and burning, and water – life bearing and refreshing.
.
For more iCenter Lag Ba'Omer resources, click here.
Consider visiting a nature reserve, or building bonfires - real or simulated - or gather inside a classroom cave to simulate the ancient roots of the holiday. We've compiled some classroom project ideas for celebrating Lag Ba'Omer, on our Pinterest page.
Glve students a glimpse of Lag Ba'Omer celebrations in Israel with this video of Mount Meron in northern Israel, the burial place of Rabbi Shimon, the famous student of Rabbi Akiva persecuted by the Romans.
And for the youngest children, A Holiday for Ari Ant, a new Apples & Honey book, introduces the joyful holiday of Lag Ba'Omer to children. 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. Written by Sylvia Rouss, award-winning author of the Sammy Spider series.
Share this
A Holiday for Ari Ant
Follow us on Pinterest
Looking for ideas and resources for your learning space, holiday parties, or just because? We can help!
