Shabbat is a celebration that happens every week, from just before sunset (18 minutes before sundown) on Friday until Saturday evening when three stars are visible in the sky. It lasts 25 hours. Shabbat commemorates the rest God took from creating the world in 6 days. At the end of Shabbat, Saturday evening, the ceremony called Havdallah takes place. Havdalah, or “separation” in Hebrew, is Shabbat’s closing ritual, when three stars appear on Saturday evening. In a simple multi-sensory ceremony, with blessings over lights, wine or grape juice, and spices, Havdalah is an inspiring way to end Shabbat and start the new week as a family.
For many Jewish families, the central observance of Shabbat takes place on Friday night, around the dinner table. This is a time for family and friends to spend relaxed time together, reconnecting at the end of a busy week of work and school. Friday night Shabbat is celebrated with special Shabbat blessings (candles, kiddush/juice/wine, and challah), dinner and sometimes attending services at synagogue. On Saturday, services are held at the synagogue and some families attend. Families also often enjoy spending time together on Shabbat. Though Friday night Shabbat celebration at home tends to be meal-focused, other Shabbat past times include reading, playing board games, talking, walking, and napping.
Learning Goals for Shabbat
My learning goals for this holiday are for the children to realize that Shabbat happens every week and that it is a very special time for Jewish people to rest and have a special day separate from the rest of the week.
Common Symbols of Shabbat
- A cup of grape juice or wine: represents kiddush, the blessing over juice or wine that happens Friday night and during Havdallah
- Two candles in candle holders: represents the candle blessing that takes place Friday night
- Challah: represents the blessing over the bread/challah that takes place Friday night
- Pleasant-smelling spices, often in a spice box: represents the spice blessing during Havdallah
- A multi-wick candle: represents the candle used during Havdallah
- Tzedakah: Many Jewish families give tzedakah on Shabbat
Explore our Shabbat crafts, activities, and experiences to engage you and your family in a fun and meaningful Shabbat exploration experience!
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Shabbat Activities
Shabbat Shelfie + Starter Activities
Shabbat Montessori-Style 3 Part Cards
Challah Birds for Shabbat Shira
Shabbatasaurus: Dinosaur on Shabbat
Dinosaur Shabbat Candle Holders
Shabbatasaurus Dinosaur Challah Cover
How To Make Thanksgiving Shabbat Candle Holders
Welcoming a Sweet Shabbat—or a Sweet Season—With A Challah Mix-In Party
Blessing of the Children Handprint Poster
Dinosaur Thumbprint Kiddush Cups
Havdallah Activities
Havdallah Montessori-Style 3 Part Cards
We created a whole page dedicated to Shabbat, our Shabbat Hub. Check it out! It includes some of the Shabbat activities we plan to do this unit, as well as the activities we’ve done in previous years.
And don’t forget our Shabbat Montessori-Style 3 Part Cards, a wonderful way to introduce Shabbat! And, now we also have all 13 Jewish holidays bundled together in A Year of Jewish Holidays 3 Part Cards.
The following sites are amazing resources for learning more about this holiday:
Shabbat Shalom!
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