SHAVUOT RESOURCES

Below is a collection of Shavuot lesson plans, videos, and articles created by The Lookstein Center staff or contributed to the site by Jewish educators.  

Shavuot Holiday Overview

• What: Shavuot is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the gathering of the harvest and the anniversary of receiving the Torah on Mt. Sinai. During the times of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple), Shavuot was one of the three pilgrimage holidays (the Shalosh Regalim), in which Jews from all over Israel came to Jerusalem to bring sacrifices in the Temple. On Shavuot, the Bikkurim, or first fruits of the field were brought as a special sacrifice. Shavuot is also the culmination of the seven-week period that began on Pesach, which is commemorated with a daily count called Sefirat HaOmer. 
• When: On the Hebrew calendar, its official date is the sixth of the month of Sivan. In Israel, the holiday is celebrated for one day and throughout the rest of the world, the holiday is celebrated for two days. 
• How: Shavuot has many customs and traditions, which include: reading the Book of Ruth (Megillat Rut); eating dairy products; decorating homes and synagogues with greenery and flowers to celebrate the harvest and to recall the lush and floral Mt. Sinai; studying Torah throughout the night (this is often referred to as Tikkun Leil Shavuot), and more.

LESSON PLANS and Resources

Shavuot Padlet – This interactive, collaborative bulletin board activity for elementary to middle school students allows students to learn about Shavuot customs and traditions. By The Lookstein Center.
Midrashic Moments: Putting Art and Spirit Into Action – This lesson plan from The Lookstein Center’s journal, Jewish Educational Leadership, uses the story of Ruth as a prompt for an interactive, arts-based activity for middle school students.
Shavuot: The Shnei Luchot HaBrit –  In this lesson for high school students, the division of the tablets are explored and examined. By The Lookstein Center.
Shavuot Lesson Plans and Resources – These resources include lesson plans, activities, Shavuot recipes, and more. By the National Library of Israel.
Shavuot Toolkit – These comprehensive resources include innovative and engaging activities for younger children about Shavuot. By Jewish Interactive.
Shavuot Resources – These activities include videos, digital activities, games, and more. From the Israeli Ministry of Education.
Shavuot Social Story – In this activity, a social story is read to or with students to give them an idea of both the holiday and what to expect. By JTeach.
Shavuot Activities for Kids – These resources include a number of ways that we can connect our children and students to the special holiday of Shavuot. By My Jewish Learning.
Shavuot Activity Sheets – This printable activity for young children includes a Shavuot crossword puzzle and more. By Alef Bet Games.
Shavuot: Chag Matan Torah – These resources include activities, articles, and more. By The Israel Forever Foundation. 

VIDEOS

What is Shavuot? – This explanatory video from Bimbam gives an overview of the holiday and its main customs and traditions.
The Book of Ruth: A Music Video for Shavuot – This video from Bimbam tells the story of Megillat Rut through a song.
Shavuot – The Day that Shook the World – This video from Aish tells the story of Matan Torah.
Shavuot: The Scandalous Backstory of Ruth and Boaz – This video from Aleph Beta delves more deeply into the story and characters in Megillat Rut.
Shavuot Medley – This animated medley by Micha Gamerman includes classic Shavuot songs.

Do you have anything to add to this list? Contact content@lookstein.org