May 17-18, 2021
What is Shavuot?
Shavuot is the Hebrew word for "weeks" and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover.
Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest.
In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it is a celebration of Torah, education, and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life.
Check back for Temple Beth Shalom opportunities to observe Shavuot in 2021.
Shavuot Ideas
Further Study:
- Take a deep dive into the values found within the scripture (we promise, it’s not just for preschoolers!).
- Explore The Book of Ruth.
Food (Dairy! Dairy! Dairy!)
Food is always a fun way to celebrate and create tradition.
- Learn more about why dairy plays a role in Shavuot foods.
- Explore some great dairy meal ideas.
- Check out The Great Big Jewish Food Fest, including a discussion called Shavuot in the Sephardic Kitchen on Thursday, May 21. It’s free, RSVP is required.
Family Activities
There are plenty of ways to celebrate and learn about Shavuot with children of all ages:
- PJ Library has a wealth of ideas and resources.
- Learn alongside Sesame Street characters as they explore the holiday:
- Explore Shavuot values, such as tzedakah, loyalty, kindness, and compassion found within the scripture.
- Mount Sinai was blooming with flowers when the Israelites arrived. Make your own flower decorations!
- Sadie and the Big Mountain by Rabbi Jamie Korngold (a PJ Library book, available on Kindle)
Musical Resources
For Kids:
For All Ages:
- Jewish Folk Songs
- Ruth and Naomi
- The Book of Ruth: a music video for Shavuot
- Duet Inspired by Ruth and Naomi
ABOUT Shavuot
Shavuot is the Hebrew word for "weeks" and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover.
Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest.
In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it is a celebration of Torah, education, and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life.