While the sun shines outside and winter becomes a distant memory, many of us take this time to step away from our work and refresh our lives. In the Jewish tradition, this is also the time to renew our relationship with God and Israel through the celebration of Shavuot. Prepare for this important joyous holiday and enjoy the start of the summer season with the following family resources and suggested reading.
Learn about the history, significance, and traditions of Shavuot as a family:
Shavuot 101 offers a brief description of Shavuot, traditionally the day the Jewish people gathered at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah from God over 3,000 years ago.
Shavuot—the Hebrew word for “weeks”—reminds us that there are seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot. Study the words and blessings associated with this important holiday.
Read a story and begin a discussion about the importance of unity in recognition of the Jews gathering on Mount Sinai.
Use your iPhone to learn and practice the blessings before and after the Torah reading while you’re on the go with iTorah Blessings.
Put the Ten Commandments in order or complete a word puzzle for a fun way to enhance your understanding of this holiday.
Take a quiz to test what you’ve learned about Shavuot.
Your kids will love these summer crafts and activities that contain Shavuot themes and promote Jewish learning:
Have a family bake off! Who can whip up the cheesecake with the most delicious filling? Choose your own recipe from our upcoming cookbook, Get Cooking!, and let the competition begin.
Bring the fun games and interactive Jewish online environment of JLand into your home to spark Jewish engagement all summer long.
Get crafty and illustrate the scene on Mount Sinai with this fun Collage Project.
Make learning fun with these Shavuot Activities, including a snuggly challah craft and ideas to get kids involved with nature.
Make a beautiful cupcake liner bouquet to decorate your home with flowers in celebration of the bounty of summer.
Put your feet up and enjoy these titles that are a perfect blend of thoughtfulness and humor for a relaxing, sunny day.
For teachers: Explore the intriguing parallels between the Jewish holidays and the school year with Teach Them Diligently.
For parents: Let motivational coach Deborah Grayson Riegel help you through the inevitable “oy veys” that pop up in work and life in Oy Vey! Isn’t a Strategy.
For kids: Mix up your story time with It’s Too Crowded in Here!, a lighthearted collection of Jewish folktales and midrashic stories which explore Jewish values and tradition.
