PJ Library Dallas

Let's learn about Shavuot! When you have young children, three Jewish holidays get most of the holiday street cred with the kids: Passover, Purim, and Hanukkah. But while these holidays might have more cultural awareness around them, the holiday of Shavuot has plenty of traditions that make it appealing for younger participants, too.

Shavuot, which means “weeks,” comes seven weeks after Passover, a period known as the Omer. On the Jewish calendar, Shavuot is the one of the three pilgrimage festivals, special holidays when families would travel to the Temple. The other two are Sukkot in the fall and Passover in the spring.

Modern day celebrations don’t include a trek to the site of the ancient Temple; instead they tie in to the summer season and enjoying the outdoors. Whether you're used to observing Shavuot or ready to celebrate for the first time, here are a few easy, new-to-your family traditions:
*Stay up late
*Camp out (or in your living room)
*Enjoy a cheesy dessert
*Take a hike
*Make a nature craft (like a sun catcher or flower crown)

PJ Library families, what's your favorite story about Shavuot?