Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about the Jewish
Holiday of Shavuot
May 28 : Shavuot begins @ sundown*

Did you know that on Shavuot, many Jewish people stay up all night studying Torah?

This all-night vigil is linked to the morning on which the Jewish people received the Torah, when legend teachers that the Israelites overslept. In order to ensure that such a slight never happens again, Jews traditionally stay up all night on the evening of Shavuot, studying the tractates handed down to Moses the following morning.

*Shavuot begins tonight at sundown

Shavuot is the Jewish holiday celebrating the harvest season in Israel. Shavuot also commemorates the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai.

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About the Month of June
May 28 : 04 days till June

Did you know that those of you with birthdays during June share your special month with:

Hollywood starlet Marilyn Monroe (June 1st), actress, philanthropist and supermom Angelina Jolie (June 4th), comedian Jackie Mason (June 9th), business mogul Donald Trump (June 14th), Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (June 23rd), and Spiderman star Tobey Maguire (June 27th), among other famous June babies?

We’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to the month of June! So stop by again tomorrow.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Slugs Return from Capistrano Day
Did you know that slugs are believed to migrate for the winter to Capistrano?

Today marks their unfortunate return to your backyards and patios – so be sure not to walk around barefoot at night or you might trod on one of these slimy creatures.

photo credit: via flickr

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about the Jewish
Holiday of Shavuot
May 27 : 1 day to Shavuot begins

Did you know that on Shavuot, it is customary to eat only dairy foods?

One possible explanation is related to a verse in the Torah, which says, “And He gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Cheesecake and blintzes are two traditionally favorites on Shavuot.

Shavuot is the Jewish holiday celebrating the harvest season in Israel. Shavuot also commemorates the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Stop by again as we’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Shavuot (sundown 05/28).

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About the Month of June
May 27 : 05 days till June

Did you know that the birthstone for the month of June is the pearl?

The pearl is the only organic birthstone, formed by a living organism. The gleaming white or pinkish-toned pearl begins as a piece of grit, which irritates a marine or freshwater mollusk.

Overtime, the mollusk’s defense mechanisms act against the irritant, coating it in a substance called nacre. Eventually the layers of nacre form the pearl. Throughout history, the pearl has been associated with values ranging from courage to modesty to power.

We’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to the month of June! So stop by again tomorrow.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

National Senior Health and Fitness Day
As Older Americans Month winds down, seniors take part in activities helping to promote the idea that fitness and exercise are an important part of their health regiment.

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about the Jewish
Holiday of Shavuot
May 26 : 2 days to Shavuot begins

Did you know that many Jewish communities read the Book of Ruth during Shavuot services?

Ruth was the first convert to Judaism and reading her story is said to be a parable for whole-hearted way in which the Jewish people accepted the Torah.

Shavuot is the Jewish holiday celebrating the harvest season in Israel. Shavuot also commemorates the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Stop by again as we’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Shavuot (sundown 05/28).