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Shavuot is celebrated for 2 days outside Israel (and in Israel for 1 day). The name Shavuot means ‘weeks’ because it occurs 7 weeks after the 2nd day of Pesach. It falls on the 6th day of Sivan. The Torah was given to the Jewish people on Shavout.
This festival marked the harvest of the wheat crop, the last grain harvest of the season, and the beginning of the fruit harvest. A major feature of the celebration was the ceremony of bringing the “first fruits”, or Bikkurim, of the harvest to the Temple as an offering of thanks.
The Bikkurim were carried in beautifully decorated baskets. Families would gather together to walk to Jerusalem and they would sing, dance and have music playing whilst they walked. When they arrived at the Temple, they gave the bread and fruit to the priests who would bless them. Today synagogues are decorated with greenery and flowers at Shavuot.
Tradition has it that King David was born and died on Shavuot and many students in Jewish schools have their graduation on Shavuot.
Different Names for Shavuot
Z’man Matan Toratenu – the Time of the Giving of Our Torah
Chag haBikkurim – Festival of the First Fruits
Chag haKatzir – Harvest Festival
Chag Matan Torah – Festival of the Giving of the Torah
The “Joyful Jewish” blog has a wonderful craft that teaches kids about receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai.
You will need:
Make the Tablets with the 10 Commandments
Prepare the Background
Click HERE for Chabad Shavuot Stories
Click Here for Kids Activity 1
Click Here for Kids Baking Activity 2
Click Here for a Shavuot Kids Activity 3
Click Here for a Shavuot Kids Activity 4
Click Here to Celebrate Shavuot at Home
Coloring Pages
Coloring Page 3 Ten Commandments
Click HERE for More Shavuot Recipes from Kahal
Erev Shavuot
Thursday, May 25th
Minha / Arvit 7:00 pm
Candle Lighting 7:37 pm
Night of Learning 10:00 pm
Shavuot, Day 1 & Erev Shabbat
Friday, May 26th
Shaharit 9:00 am
Shavuot Family Celebration 4:30 pm
Ten Commandments Reading & Ice Cream Party
Candle Lighting 7:38 pm
Shavuot, Day 2 & Shabbat
Saturday, May 27th
Shaharit 9:00 am
Shavuot Luncheon after services, in loving memory of Claire Assia, z”l
Havdallah 8:40 pm