INTRODUCTION:

The holiday of Shavuot honors the first fruits and crops that are grown.  This includes Biblical foods like wheat, barley, figs, vines, pomegranates, olives, and dates.  A nice way to display these offerings is in a basket.  This program uses the idea of recycling and taking care of the earth to display the sheaves of wheat, fruits, and vegetables of Shavuot.   

MATERIALS:

• Recycled newspapers and magazines or fabric 
• Scissors/Glue 
• Directions to make basket (paper) 
• Directions to make basket (fabric) 

PROGRAM OUTLINE (65 minutes):

• [part one] (15 minutes) 
• [part two] (45 minutes) 
• [part three] (5 minutes) 

[part one] (15 minutes)

• Introduction to the idea of Shavuot and bringing your first fruits.  Using this text: 

“On the day of the first fruits, your Feast of Weeks, when you bring an offering of new grain to GOD, you shall observe a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations.”  (Numbers 28:26)  

Consider using these questions for discussion: 

• What does it mean to bring an offering to God?  To bring to someone else?  
• Why are first fruits important?   
• What kinds of gifts can we offer today?  
• Is there a difference in how the gifts are displayed?  Carried?   
• How do you feel in your own home when things are artfully displayed? 
• How does the value of taking care of the environment play into Shavuot and first fruits?   

[part two] (45 minutes)

• Decide if you are going to make paper recycled baskets or fabric and have supplies ready. You can work on 1 collective basket or make smaller ones for trinkets, keys, etc. Spend the time making basket and crafting. See directions in above links 

[part three] (5 minutes)

• As a wrap up, talk about what they’ll do with their baskets and whether this activity has brought them closer to the idea of first fruits, or thinking about sheaves of wheat.