Shavuot
From learning Torah all night long to indulging in cheesecake, the rituals and significance of Shavuot have evolved throughout Jewish history. Often celebrated as the day on which the Jewish people received the Torah on Mount Sinai, KKL-JNF brings the holiday back to its biblical and agricultural roots through activities that reaffirm Jewish peoplehood, celebrate the abundance of the Land of Israel, and emphasize the importance of water to ancient and modern Israel.
E-Learning
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The Jewish Educator Journal: Shavuot Resources
This link opens up the Winter 2018 issue of the The Jewish Educator journal, full of articles, resources, activities, and lesson plans about Shavuot, created especially for Jewish educators. With high quality,
Taking Tikkun Leil into the Modern World
In this article from the South African Jewish Report, Adina Roth describes how the ancient Kabbalistic practice of learning Torah all night long on Shavuot has developed to include different types
Chabad on Shavuot
This introductory article from Chabad.org explains the history, customs and deep spiritual significance of Shavuot. With many internal links to relevant videos, how-to guides, and articles, this is a great resource for anyone
Shavuot in Israel: A Celebration of Torah or First Fruits?
In this article, Dr. Hizky Shoham explores the multiple identities of the holiday of Shavuot, which began as an agricultural festival, was transformed into the “holiday of the giving of
The Omer & Shavuot: Self-Betterment and a Divine Relationship
In this short video, Rabbi Shira Stutman shares a profound explanation of Shavuot and the 49 day period of the Omer between Passover and Shavuot, with an emphasis on self-betterment and
A Detailed Overview of Shavuot
This thorough article from Wikipedia provides a detailed and well-sourced overview of the Biblical origins, ancient and modern customs, and agricultural and scriptural significance of Shavuot. The article mentions many different practices observed
Shavuot 101
This introductory article briefly explains the history, customs and significance of Shavuot, a lesser known Jewish holiday that commemorates the spring harvest and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. It is
Akdamut: Text & Commentary on a Liturgical Poem for Shavuot
This 8-page long PDF document provides the Aramaic text and English translation of Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during the Torah reading in synagogue on the morning of Shavuot.
What is Shavuot? An Introductory Video for All
This 4-minute long animated video presents an excellent overview of the origins, significance and customs of Shavuot, dubbed “the most important Jewish Holiday most people have never heard of.” Useful for people of all
Shavuot: The Day that Shook the World
This minute-and-a-half long video, creatively produced to resemble a movie trailer, presents the eternal influence of the revelation of the Torah in the world, the historical event commemorated on the holiday
Why do Jews Eat Cheesecake on Shavuot?
This minute-long video from the My Jewish LearningYouTube Channel offers two explanations for the popular Ashkenazi custom to eat dairy food on the holiday of Shavuot.
Shavuot in 60 Seconds
This minute long animated video presents a brief overview of the origins, significance and customs of Shavuot. Useful for people of all ages, with amusing animations and a colloquial narrator, this video is provided by
Reenactment of the Biblical Shavuot First-Fruits & Twin Loaves Offerings
This 4-minute long video presents a reenactment of the first-fruit and twin loaves offerings, as they were performed in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem on the festival of Shavuot. Due to the
Music
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Chanting of Moroccan Azharot
This 10 minute long video presents a Moroccan chanting of Azharot (lit. exhortations), didactic liturgical poems enumerating the 613 commandments traditionally chanted by Sephardic Jews on Shavuot. There have been numerous
The Song of Bread: A Zionist Yiddish Song for Shavuot
This video presents The Song of Bread, a Yiddish folk song written by poet and composer Mark Warshawsky about the goodness of the land of Israel, dedicated to the Eastern
Stay Up All Night: A Shavuot Parody
This amusing video presents a song about Tikkun Leil Shavuot, the custom of learning Torah all night long on Shavuot. From the Rebbetzin Tap “Jewish Holiday Celebration” DVD, this song contains
We’ll Study All Night Long: A Shavuot Parody
This amusing video presents a song about Tikkun Leil Shavuot, the custom of learning Torah all night long on Shavuot. The lyrics, written to the tune of AC/DC’s “You Shook Me
Our Baskets Are On Our Shoulders: A Hebrew Children’s Song for Shavuot
This upbeat animated video presents a popular Israeli children’s song abut Shavuot. The lyrics describe people coming from all over the land of Israel to bring “bikurim” – the offering
Moroccan Piyutim for Shavuot
This video presents a series of traditional Moroccan liturgical poems for Shavuot.
Akdamut Chanted with English Translation
This video presents a chanting of Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during the Torah reading in synagogue on the morning of Shavuot with a simultaneous onscreen English translation of the
Short English Adaptation of Akdamut
This video presents a short, simple, chanted, English version of Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during the Torah reading in synagogue on the morning of Shavuot. It is not a direct
Yetziv Pitgam: A Piyut for Shavuot
This video presents the singing of Yetziv Pitgam, an Aramaic liturgical poem recited immediately following the chanting of the first verse of the Haftara on the second day of Shavuot in the Diaspora. It
An Ancient Melody for Akdamut
This video presents an ancient melody for Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during the Torah reading in synagogue on the morning of Shavuot. The liturgical poem is recited responsively in almost
An Ancient Sephardic Melody for Akdamut
This video presents an ancient Sephardic melody for Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during the Torah reading in synagogue on the morning of Shavuot. The liturgical poem is recited responsively in
Alicia Jo Rabins: An Indie-Folk Rendition of Ruth’s Journey
This animated music video presents the biblical story of Ruth, retold by singer-songwriter Alicia Jo Rabins through an original indie-folk song. The Book of Ruth is traditionally read on Shavuot, which celebrates
A Children’s Song for Shavuot
This upbeat, catchy song celebrates the excitement of the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah. Sung in Hebrew with an on-screen English translation of the lyrics, the
The Ten Commandments: A Shavuot Song for Kids
This upbeat, animated music video presents the Ten Commandments from the Torah in an amusing, kid-friendly way, with modernized lyrics, amusing cartoons, and a catchy tune. There is a strong
What Else?
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Pilgrimage: A Resource for Tikun Leil Shavuot from Limmud
Created by the Limmud Chavruta Program for Shavuot, this 4-page long document contains sources that explore the concept of pilgrimage in Judaism, including traditional Jewish texts, quotes from modern Israeli poets and
Revealing Torah, Revealing Me: A Prayer for Shavuot
This thought provoking and poetic prayer by Devon Spier explores the emotions of the moment before the revelation at Mount Sinai, and asks God to bless one with a personal revelation
Kavannot (Intentions) for Shavuot
In this thought provoking piece, Rabbi Rachel Barenblat lays out her personal intentions for Shavuot in the form of a prayer to God for heightened awareness and connection through engagement with the Torah. Rabbi
A Blessing for Kindness on Shavuot
This poetic prayer by Devon Spier explores the themes of chessed (kindness), social justice, and communal responsibility through agricultural imagery. These concepts are often associated with Shavuot, due to their prevalence in
How to Organize a Feminist/Women’s Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Noting that women are learning more Torah than ever before in Jewish history, this article from Ritualwell encourages women to further reclaim their relationship with Torah by organizing a feminist Tikkun Leil Shavuot
The Jewish Educator Journal: Shavuot Resources
This link opens up the Winter 2018 issue of the The Jewish Educator journal, full of articles, resources, activities, and lesson plans about Shavuot, created especially for Jewish educators. With high quality,
Festival of the First Fruits: A Shavuot Poem
This descriptive poem in Hebrew and English by Kaila Shabat paints a lovely picture of the festive Shavuot celebrations in the moshavim and kibbutzim of Israel. Often secular and deeply connected to
Cheesecake Recipes
This article from the Israeli news site Haaretz provides seven different cheesecake recipes, including bake, no-bake, sweet, and savory options. Ashkenazy Jews traditionally eat dairy foods on the holiday of
Dairy Recipes for Shavuot
In celebration of the Ashkenazi tradition of eating dairy foods on Shavuot, My Jewish Learning provides lots of different recipes, often fresh twists on traditional foods, such as cheesy challah, Mozzarella and Tomato
How to Make Shavuot Meaningful & Fun for Your Community
This post provides ideas for how to make Shavuot meaningful and fun for your community and family. Focusing on the themes of social justice and communal responsibility in the Torah
Shavuot Activities for Elementary School Students
This link provides resources designed to teach elementary school students about Shavuot in a fun and interactive way. Through word searches, crossword puzzles, activities, trivia questions, songs, and games, these resources introduce students
A Shavuot Website for Children
This link will take you to “a Shavuot wonderland for kids,” an entire website dedicated to teaching children about the holiday in a fun and interactive way. With holiday guides, videos,
The Jewish Trivia Quiz: Shavuot
This link will take you to a Jewish Trivia game website, where you can select “Shavuot” from the drop down menu (Topic), and enjoy an interactive quiz that will ask
Celebrate Shavuot with Shalom Sesame
This video from Shalom Sesame tells the story of Moses receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai. This link from ReformJudaism.org offers discussion topics, activities and two more videos from “Shalom Sesame” all created
Shavuot Resource Booklet for Youth Leaders
This link will open up a 28 page long PDF file full of resources designed to teach youth about Shavuot in a fun and interactive way. With games, activities, discussion questions, stories, trivia
The Ten Commandments: A Shavuot Lesson Plan for High School Students
This link opens up a detailed hour long lesson plan where students explore a theory regarding the division of the Ten Commandments onto two tablets. Created by Moshe Abelesz for high
Sinai Poetry: A Resource for Tikkun Leil Shavuot
This 9-page long PDF document provides a collection of poetry reflecting the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sainai from both Jewish and non-Jewish sources. These poems were compiled to be
Reenactment of the Biblical Shavuot First-Fruits & Twin Loaves Offerings
This 4-minute long video presents a reenactment of the first-fruit and twin loaves offerings, as they were performed in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem on the festival of Shavuot. Due to the
Rituals & Ceremonies
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Counting the Omer
The Counting of the Omer is the commandment to count the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. This video introduces the agricultural roots, spiritual significance, and special customs of this
Tkhine of the Matriarchs for Yizkor
This “tkhine” (supplication) is a para-liturgical prayer in Yiddish with an English translation that is meant to be recited following the Yizkor Memorial service. The prayer beseeches God for mercy, blessing
Yizkor: The Memorial Prayer
This informative article from Chabad.org provides the Hebrew, English and transliterated text for the Yizkor memorial prayer recited following the Torah reading in the synagogue on Passover, Shavuot, Shemini Atzeret
A “Tkhine” for Lighting Candles on Shavuot
This “tkhine” (supplication) is a para-liturgical prayer in Hebrew and Yiddish with an English translation that is meant to be recited by a woman after lighting candles to welcome the holiday
Kabbalistic Tikkun Leil Shavuot & Prayers
This link opens up a 186 page long PDF file containing sections of learning and prayer for the Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Hebrew, English and transliterated English. In keeping with the custom of
Kabbalistic Tikkun Leil Shavuot with Prayers & Meditations
This link opens up a 75 page long PDF file containing sections of learning, prayer and meditation for the Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Hebrew, English and transliterated English. In keeping with the custom
Chanting of Moroccan Azharot
This 10 minute long video presents a Moroccan chanting of Azharot (lit. exhortations), didactic liturgical poems enumerating the 613 commandments traditionally chanted by Sephardic Jews on Shavuot. There have been numerous
Moroccan Piyutim for Shavuot
This video presents a series of traditional Moroccan liturgical poems for Shavuot.
Yetziv Pitgam: A Piyut for Shavuot
This video presents the singing of Yetziv Pitgam, an Aramaic liturgical poem recited immediately following the chanting of the first verse of the Haftara on the second day of Shavuot in the Diaspora. It
An Ancient Melody for Akdamut
This video presents an ancient melody for Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during the Torah reading in synagogue on the morning of Shavuot. The liturgical poem is recited responsively in almost
Standing Together: A Social Justice Guide to Shavuot and the Omer
This link opens up a 44 page PDF document full of articles, resources, activities, and programs for Shavuot and the Omer (the 7 week-long period between Passover and Shavuot) that
Peoplehood: A Resource for Tikkun Leil Shavuot
This 4-page PDF document provides six sources which address the theme of ‘Peoplehood’ intended for learning with a partner (chevruta) or group as part of the Tikkun Leil Shavuot tradition
Reform Shavuot Youth Synagogue Service
This 9-page long PDF document presents the Shavuot Youth Service at the Edgware and District Reform Synagogue (now the Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue) in the UK. Complete with short teachings, poems,
The Book of Ruth (Text & Audio)
This post provides the Hebrew and English text for the entire Book of Ruth, as well as audio recordings from the Virtual Cantor of this text being read in Hebrew.
Akdamut: Text & Commentary on a Liturgical Poem for Shavuot
This 8-page long PDF document provides the Aramaic text and English translation of Akdamut, the lengthy Aramaic poem recited during the Torah reading in synagogue on the morning of Shavuot.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot Videos & Study Guides from the Reform Movement
This link provides a collection of short videos of Torah lectures with guiding questions for discussion and reflection that can be used for independent or communal Torah study on Shavuot
Traditional Practices - Learn How
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How to Organize a Feminist/Women’s Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Noting that women are learning more Torah than ever before in Jewish history, this article from Ritualwell encourages women to further reclaim their relationship with Torah by organizing a feminist Tikkun Leil Shavuot
The Jewish Educator Journal: Shavuot Resources
This link opens up the Winter 2018 issue of the The Jewish Educator journal, full of articles, resources, activities, and lesson plans about Shavuot, created especially for Jewish educators. With high quality,
How to Make Shavuot Meaningful & Fun for Your Community
This post provides ideas for how to make Shavuot meaningful and fun for your community and family. Focusing on the themes of social justice and communal responsibility in the Torah
Procedure for Holiday Candle-Lighting
This informative post from Chabad.org provides the transliterated and translated English text for the blessings upon lighting the candles at the onset of the festivals of Shavuot, Passover and Sukkot,
Yizkor: The Memorial Prayer
This informative article from Chabad.org provides the Hebrew, English and transliterated text for the Yizkor memorial prayer recited following the Torah reading in the synagogue on Passover, Shavuot, Shemini Atzeret
Standing Together: A Social Justice Guide to Shavuot and the Omer
This link opens up a 44 page PDF document full of articles, resources, activities, and programs for Shavuot and the Omer (the 7 week-long period between Passover and Shavuot) that
OU Synagogue Resources: Innovative Shavuot Programming
This link opens up an article which offers unique ideas for engaging Shavuot programs for all ages from Orthodox synagogues throughout America. Ranging from an interactive game show to a cheesecake
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