Shavuot

The festival of Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

The festival of Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah TorahתּוֹרָהLiterally “instruction” or “teaching.” The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy); the handwritten scroll that contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Also called the Pentateuch and The Five Books of Moses. “Torah” is also used to refer to the entire body of Jewish religious teachings and insight.  at Mount Sinai and encourages us to embrace the Torah’s teachings and be inspired by the wisdom Jewish tradition has to offer.

Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks,” and the holiday occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it is a celebration of Torah, education, and the choice to participate actively in Jewish life.

When is Shavuot?

In 2026, Shavuot starts on Thursday May 21st. Upcoming Shavuot dates include:

  • 2026, -
  • 2027, -
  • 2028, -
  • 2029, -

Holidays Calendar

Torah Study

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Tikkun Leil Shavuot Videos and Study Guides

One of the most distinctive customs of Shavuot is Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an evening-long study session held on the night of Shavuot. Uphold this tradition by watching and learning with the rabbis featured in these videos, and exploring the accompanying study guides.

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Family Activities

Celebrate Shavuot with Abigail and other characters from Sesame Street.

Celebrate Shavuot with Shalom Sesame

Watch these Shalom Sesame videos with your children to learn about Shavuot and celebrating the Torah. Then try some of the discussion ideas and activities recommended by Reform Jewish educators to further extend the lessons learned in the videos.

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Recipes

Blintz Soufflé

Grandma Lucille's Blintz Souffle

Tina Wasserman
Blintzes are a popular dish for many Jewish celebrations, but they are most often served to celebrate Shavuot. Using frozen blintzes makes this a fast and easy festive meal!

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Learn More About Shavuot

Relating to Shavuot

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Congregation Beth Am photo at Pride March

 

Take a two-minute tour of the Torah.

A Tour of the Torah

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A Shavuot Social Action Guide

It has been said that the entire Torah exists to establish justice. Thus, through the study of Torah and other Jewish texts, Shavuot offers us an opportunity to recommit ourselves to tikkun olam, the repair of the world.

What's New

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You’re Invited to Remember

Growing up, I saw Yizkor as a mysterious event on Yom Kippur afternoon. The grownups would return to temple in the afternoon, while my sister and I stayed home. There was no explanation, just an understanding that this was a thing our parents and grandparents did, and we did not.
an image of a diverse group of people of different genders, ages, and race in a group holding their hands out in the center on top of each other

Shavuot to Juneteenth: A Journey Toward Liberation

Temple Israel is engaged in a REDI culture shift, striving to be a synagogue that exemplifies our belief in b’tzelem Elohim (shared humanity) by creating a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Our New Year’s party came from the idea that while this work can be challenging, it is a joy to lift up the diversity and unique lived experiences of those in our community. Following this theme of celebrating our diversity, we began planning our inaugural Shavuot to Juneteenth: A Journey Toward Liberation.
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