Jewish Portal of Teacher Education

Source: NewCaje

There isn't much law related to the celebration of Shavuot just a bit in Shulchan Aruch (Orech Haim 454); but, there are beautiful traditions associated with the holiday. Children appropriately were brought to school for the first time on this holiday of the giving of the Torah. They recited the Aleph Bet backwards and forwards with their teachers. They were taught two verses of Torah (Lev.1 and Deut 33:4) and licked honey-covered letters off their slate. From this, we learn to begin teaching children at a young age, that ceremonies are important in the learning process, and that Jewish learning must be enjoyable and filled with love.

This year, Shavuot - this often under-appreciated, yet important holiday - falls within the school year. We urge you to use the resources in this publication to create a beautiful, loving ceremony/holiday for the children and adults in your community. This issue features articles by Jen Glaser, Goldie Milgram, Amy Ripps, Everett Fox, and more!

The Shavuot issue contains the following articles:

• The Revelation at Sinai in Bible and Midrash | Everett Fox
   
• Naomi’s Silence | Dr. Jen Glaser
   
• Edible Judaism: Shavuot | Rabbi Bill Kaplan
   
• Workshop on the Personal Power of Transformation through the Mitzvah of Sefirat Ha-Omer | Helene Kates
   
• NOT Rock-Paper-Scissors, It’s Sinai-Paper-NO Scissors | Nancy Katz
   
• Jewish Spiritual Education: Preparing Ourselves and Our Students for the Inevitable Experiences of Inner Darkness | Rabbi Dr. Goldie Milgram
   
• Standing at Sinai: Creating Shavuot Experiences for Families | Lynnie Mirvis and Paul Solyn
   
• Book of Ruth – Is it a Feminist Work? | Rabbi JoHanna Potts
   
• Why I Don’t Close School on Yontif | Amy Ripps
   
• Peah in Modern Times: How Do I Refrain from Reaping the Corners of My Field When I Don’t Have One?” | Melissa Rogoway
   
• Water, Wind, Sun, and Fun: The “Nature” of Being Jewish – Using the FLEX Learning Model to Celebrate Shavuot | Deborah Sarna
   
• Shavuot: From First Fruits to All-Night Study Groups Full of Otherwise-Lactose-Intolerant Jews…Eating Dairy | Cathy Schechter
   
• The “Upper Trope” of the Ten Commandments | Cantor Neil Schwartz, David Schwartz
   
• Tikkun Leil Shavuot – What is it and Where Did it Come from? | Tamar Zaken
   
• Hands, Heart, Minds, and Souls: An All School Shavuot Program | Rabbi Rain Zoha