Shavuot Homepage Updated

In preparation for the upcoming holiday of Shavuot (May 22-24), the Shavuot homepage has been updated with a new design.

Easy access is available to all the main sections of the Shavuot, including a basic guide, information about the Ten Commandments, audio and video, recipes and of course the kids section. Within each section be sure to check out the highlighted articles from the links on the home page. (It seems this Basic Cheesecake recipe did not make the cut, so I am providing the link here for your (and my) enjoyment...)

Kids Zone for Shavuot: "Live The Challenge"

A special Shavuot feature just added to the Chabad.org-Tzivos Hashem Jewish Kids Zone is "Live The Challenge: Take it to the Top".

Kids can complete their special Shavuot mission that includes fullfilling some or all of the special Shavuot observances and have a chance at winning fantastic prizes!

Entries will be accepted after May 23, 2007.

While we're at the Kids Zone, check out all the other kids-related Shavuot content, entertainment, fun and games. Click here to begin.

New Shavuot Event Search

Are you looking to join a Shavuot event near you? Chabad.org's new Shavuot Event Search can direct you to Shavuot event listings from your local Chabad Center.

You can find readings of the Ten Commandments, ice cream parties for the kids (and for the kid in us), classes, and much more. With 131 cities listed and more to come, you are likely to discover one nearby.

Begin your search by clicking here.

While you are at it, now would be a great time to check out the Shavuot site in general and prepare for the holiday in all aspects: how-to guide, study, kids, recipies, audio and video, and much more.

The Tefillin Campaign - 40 Years

Forty years ago the Lubavitcher Rebbe launched a "no Jew shall remain un-strapped" global tefillin campaign. In the four decades since, tens of thousands of Jews have been touched and uplifted by this mitzvah drive. "The Rebbe's Tefillin Campaign: A Timeline" pictorially depicts some of the campaign's historical and moving mileposts.
Also:

Whoever told you that the Jews are the "People of the Book" left out half the story. We are also the people of the hand, head, and heart, with an old history of using these mediums to open up a live connection with G-d at any moment. See "The Tefillin Booth," a new short animated video, to find out how.

These new features complement an expanded Tefillin section that includes how to's, videos, stories, how tefillin are made and more.

Itche Kadoozy Sighting

It has been reported that a life-sized Rabbi Itche Kadoozy was seen in the streets of Brooklyn this past Sunday at the Lag Baomer parade in NY that attracted an estimated 15,000 participants.

More information on this appearance would be appreciated.

No word yet on Jono or G-fish, though in the photos submitted to us, Itche was mysteriously standing in front of a fish store...

New: Jewish Story Time

A new "Jewish Story Time" section has been added to the Kids Zone. These short audio clips are taken from the ever popular and timeless "Dial-a-Jewish-Story" service of Tzivos Hashem that for over 15 years has been making these stories available via telephone. For the first time, these stories are now available online in a streaming format and also in a downloadable MP3 format.

Click here to check it out.

New stories are to be posted every week.

New Lag BaOmer Event Search

Looking to join an outdoor event on Lag BaOmer near you? Check this out: a new Lag BaOmer Event Search. You will find bonfires, BBQ's, and more.

Enjoy!

Need to more about Lag BaOmer? Our Lag BaOmer section has also been updated with many more article, and a new layout. There is also a basic introduction as to what this not-to-well-known holiday is all about.

Sefirat HaOmer via RSS

In what may be the first online tool of it's kind, Chabad.org released a new RSS feed for the daily Sefirat Haomer.

Get it here.

I am sure that those of you that have newsreaders or desktop widgets (or gadgets) can make use of this feed.

And for the rest of us -- well, just keep on visiting Chabad.org for the Daily Sefirat Haomer!