Shavuot comes from the Hebrew meaning ‘weeks’. Its name comes from the seven week period known as the Omer which occurred after the Exodus from Egypt and the first Passover. It is celebrated on the 6th and 7th day of the Hebrew month of Sivan, which corresponds to May or June in the secular calendar. […]
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The High Holy Days refer the two festivals of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and the Ten Days of Repentance (Penitence) in between them. The commandments to observe these days are found in the Torah. Background Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second day of the Hebrew month
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Sukkot ( Hebrew- booths, huts) is the autumn festival which celebrates the gathering in of the crops and the fruit harvest. It is also known as the Festival of the Tabernacles. Sukkot occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, five days after Yom Kippur. This corresponds to September or October in
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Simchat (pronounced ch) Torah literally means ‘Rejoicing of the Law’. It is the yearly celebration of reading the last Parasha (Portion) of the Torah and immediately starting again at the beginning – in this way, one never gets to the end! This community celebration happens in September or October, a week after Sukkot. Background During the year in
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The meaning of the word Chanucah (also spelled as Chanukah, Hannukkah etc) is ‘dedication’. Chanucah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E after the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians. (Judea, as it was known at the time, was part of the Greek Empire, controlled by Antiochus IV, King of
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In this Article I have included the background stories to six of the major festivals as they occur in chronological order throughout the Jewish Calendar – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Chanucah, Purim, Passover and Shavuot. Rosh Hashanah The Binding of Isaac After many years of waiting, Abraham and Sarah were finally blessed with a son,
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In this Article I will be investigating the main symbols of Judaism. Judaism is a religion full of symbolism! These symbols are constant reminders of our faith and are used both during worship and as decorations on our artefacts. Some examples of use are the decorations inside and outside the Synagogue, the Crown on the
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What is an Artefact? A religious artefact is something that is used by believers whilst practicing their faith. There can be many types of artefacts for example, an object, food and drink, music, a text, book or picture. Artefacts are a reminder of important events and beliefs within a faith. Some Jewish artefacts are linked
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I have listed below ideas for follow up work and activities including some that are useful in multi-faith teaching. (See also Jewish Artefacts and How to Use Them). Some of these are specific to a topic or festival. These ideas can all be modified according to age and ability. Card Making (Festivals, Life Cycle Events)
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Jews can always find food to tell a story! These foods can be symbolic either in flavour for example, the sweet addition of sugar or honey to Challah at Shabbat which represents happiness. During Purim, the eating of Hamantashen connects us to a character in the story. At Passover, Matzah, Charoset and coconut pyramids remind us
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