The omer is also a period of "partial mourning in memory of a plague that killed dozens of Jewish scholars during the lifetime of Rabbi Akiva.  As such, Jewish tradition pro

hibits weddings, parties, live music, dancing and haircuts during this time period" (Jewish Virtual Library).  The 33rd day of the omer, Lag BaOmer, is a minor holiday commemorating a break in the plague.  In modern Israel the holiday has been reinterpreted to commemorate the Bar Kokhba rebellion against the Romans, "leading to customs that include having large dinner celebrations and lighting bonfires" (Jewish Virtual Library). 

We celebrated Lag BaOmer at school on Monday, April 29th with color wars!  The students were divided into teams by color and competed throughout the day in fun, athletic and creative activities at Victory Park.  The day began and ended with tie dying t-shirts to show that, although we competed against one another in individual teams throughout the day, we are still one community, Weizmann Day School. 

The holiday of Shavuot was celebrated last week, beginning Tuesday evening, May 13th and concluding Thursday evening, May 16th.  Shavuot "is the second of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance"  (Jewish Virtual Library).  Agriculturally, Shavuot is about the first fruits being brought to the Temple in Jerusalem.  Historically, it is the time of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.  "It is customary to eat a dairy meal at least once during Shavuot.  There are varying opinions as to why this is done.  Some say it is a reminder of the promise regarding the land of Israel, a land flowing with 'milk and honey'.  According to another view, it is because our ancestors had just received the Torah (and the dietary laws therein), and did not have both meat and dairy dishes available"  (Jewish Virtual Library). 

At Weizmann we celebrated the giving of the Torah with the giving of the siddurim during our Alef Consecration.

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys has opened an Oklahoma City Tornado Relief Fund to raise money for those affected by the tornadoes and the aftermath.

Community members wishing to make contributions for this cause can do so in one of two ways. The first is to mail, call or drop-off contributions at the Jewish Federation (Attn: Oklahoma City Tornado Relief, 550 S. Second Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006 or 626.445.0810).  Or, you may donate to Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA) online at https://securefedweb.jewishfederations.org/page/contribute/oklahoma-city-tornado.

All funds collected by the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys will be directed to social welfare agencies in the affected areas serving both the Jewish and general communities. The Jewish Federation will absorb all administrative costs, ensuring that 100% of all donations go directly to aid those most grievously affected.