INTRODUCTION:

June 21^st is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. This program gives you a chance to be outside and take advantage of the long hours of the day while appreciating the sun and learning more about the sun from a Jewish perspective. 

MATERIALS:

• Sun centered snacks 
• The Longest Day resource sheet 
• Place to hike/ walk or enjoy a picnic 
• Outdoor supplies (frisbees, blankets, balls to play catch, etc…) 

PROGRAM OUTLINE (approximately 2 hours):

• Sunshine walk/hike (30-45 minutes) 
• Sunshine picnic (30 minutes) 
• Conclusion (5 minutes) 

Sunshine walk/hike (30-45 minutes) 

• As you walk/hike, use facts about sun to call out trivia. Greater explanation and sources are on the resource sheet linked above.  
  • Question one: True or false, the high appears higher in the sky depending on season?  
    • Answer: True. Around the summer solstice the sun is at its highest point in the sky. 
  • Question two: On what day of creation were the sun and moon created? Was there anything else created on that day? 
    • Answer: Created on the 4^th day. And stars were also created. 
  • Question Three: True or false: The sun is essential for prayer? 
    • Answer: Yes, certain prayers like the Shema are required to be said at specific times of the day and sunrise helps determine that. The moon is important because the Hebrew calendar is based on a lunar cycle and the moon helps us know when it’s time for holidays. 
  • Question Four: True or False, the sun can help you square a city (ie, coming up with a grid plan)?  
    • Answer: True, according to the Talmud, you can use the sun rising and setting on the solstices to help. Where the sun rises and sets on the longest day of the year, (the summer solstice) the route of the sun is the face of the north. It rises in the northeast and sets in northwest and travels east to west across the north side of the world.  
  • Question Five: According to the Talmud, is a person’s character better or worse if you’re born when it’s sunny than when it’s moonlight?  
    • Answer: One born under the sun will be a radiant person. 
  • Question Six: What is the blessing for the sun and how often do we recite it? 
    • Answer: Birkat Hachamah is the blessing we recite every 28 years when the sun returns to the exact date/time as it was for creation. The next one is April 8^th, 2037. 

Sunshine picnic (30 minutes) 

• After you’ve finished hiking or walking, enjoy the sun and longest day by picnicking or hanging outside. Enjoy some sun centered snacks. Such as: 
  • Sun Chips 
  • Sun Maid Raisins 
  • Sunflower seeds 
  • Sun tea 
  • Sun dried tomato hummus or pinwheels 
  • Lemon bars 

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• If you host this program in the evening, enjoy a look at the sunset before you leave.  
• Clean up and enjoy the longest day!