Did you know that it is Jewish tradition to count the 49 days between the second night of Passover and the beginning of Shavuot? This is called counting the omer. On the 33rd day of counting, families celebrate the holiday of Lag B’Omer by throwing barbecues, getting a haircut, or gathering around a bonfire to sing songs and recite folk tales.
Get together with some friends and fellow PJ Library families to host your own Lag B'Omer bonfire. You can make s'mores, sing songs, and read a story or two. Here are a few PJ book ideas to get you started.
Books About Lag B'Omer
Ari loves Jewish holidays -- but he's never heard of Lag B'Omer. What is it about? And is it any fun for ants?
Sadie and Ori want to know what Lag B'Omer is all about so they turn to Grandpa for a little help.
Jewish Folktales
Here are 22 Jewish tales, some told with humor and all sure to inspire conversation.
Three clever, adventuresome brothers search the world over for something unique, use what they find to help save a princess, and then vie for the privilege of marrying her.
TIn this Cinderella-like Jewish tale, a rabbi’s youngest daughter is banished from her home, but with help from the prophet Elijah, she is reunited with her family.
Disguised as a servant, an Afghani shah slips out of his palace to get to know his people. When he encounters a poor Jewish shoemaker full of faith that everything will turn out just as it should, he decides to test that faith. Will the shoemaker's cheerful optimism be shaken when faced with a matter of life and death?
May 7, 2014