A Time to Gather

A PJ Library Family Guide for Passover Through Shavuot

Passover is one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays, a time when many families gather for a Passover seder (ritual meal) as they imagine that they themselves were freed from slavery in Egypt. Seven weeks later is the holiday of Shavuot, a time when communities gather to hear a reading of the Ten Commandments — the Jewish people's ethical blueprint — and celebrate the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. There are a handful of holidays during the seven weeks of the Omer, including Mimouna, Yom Ha’atzmaut, and Lag B’Omer.

This guide will help families explore the meaning and practice (and food, including matzah, cheesecake, and more) of the Jewish holidays from Passover to Shavuot. It also introduces seven fun challenges of character growth — for kids and adults alike — to try out during the seven-week period of the Omer.