In The Caldwells: Special Reading Planned For Shavuot Celebration

CALDWELLS, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Chabad of the Caldwells. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

At fraught time for Jews, with Israel at war, and increased antisemtism, the Jewish community of the Caldwells — men, women and children; young and old — will gather at Chabad of the Caldwells on Wednesday, June 12 at 11:15 am, and 5:30 pm, to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments from a handwritten Torah scroll. The gathering is one way that many Jews are responding to the bigotry–by deepening their Jewish identity and practice.

The family-friendly reading of the Ten Commandments will be followed by an ice cream party and dairy buffet featuring New York-style cheesecake, traditional cheese blintzes (crepes), and Italian pastas.

“Shavuot is the time when the Jewish People received the Torah together at Mt. Sinai as ‘one person with one heart,’ so it’s important that the Caldwell’s Jewish community will gather as well, to commemorate this day in the same spirit,” said Rabbi Shmuly Sputz, who directs Chabad of the Caldwells. “During this trying time, joining together in unity as we hear the Ten Commandments read from the Torah is more meaningful than ever.”

The reading of the Ten Commandments has become a family tradition around the world at the urging of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, the most influential rabbi in modern history. He explained that there is special significance to bringing children, even infants, to hear the Ten Commandments in synagogue on Shavuot morning: “By listening to the Ten Commandments on Shavuot morning,” the Rebbe explained, “the words of Torah will be engraved in the hearts and minds of the children. And through them, the Torah will be etched within their parents and grandparents with even greater intensity

What is the holiday of Shavuot?

Shavuot, which begins this year at sunset on Tuesday, June 11 and concludes at nightfall on Thursday, June 13, 2024, marks the anniversary and celebration of the Jewish people receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai 3,336 years ago. Shavuot literally means “weeks” and marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot called the Omer. Shavuot customs include all-night Torah study, listening to the recitation of the Ten Commandments read from a Torah scroll in Synagogue, the reading of the Book of Ruth, eating dairy foods and adorning the synagogue and home with greenery and flowers. For everything you need to know about Shavuot visit ChabadCaldwells.com/Shavuot24.

Chabad of the Caldwells offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Chabad, at (862) 223-8949 or visit online at www.Chabadcaldwells.com.

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