The first time I tried to observe Shavuot, I felt completely overwhelmed. Cheesecake. All-night learning. Expectations I didn’t understand because in some ways, this holiday seemed suspiciously too easy. So few halachic requirements… but lots of customs. And a lot of pressure to “do it right.”
If you’re new to Shavuot – or Jewish holidays in general – you are not alone. Jewish tradition is beautiful, but let’s be real: it can also be exhausting when you’re trying to figure it out for the first time, especially if you’re doing it without a clear roadmap.
That’s why I created a new video walking you through the 3 Anchors framework I created to make Jewish holidays feel meaningful without the burnout.
We’ll walk through:
- What makes Shavuot feel overwhelming for so many people
- The trap of “all or nothing” holiday thinking
- How to structure your holiday around one ritual, one meal shift, and one atmosphere change
- And why you don’t need to earn your holiday with exhaustion
You deserve a holiday that nourishes you. 💙
Find the video transcript below.
Just Released: Shavuot Without Stress
If you’ve ever felt like Jewish holidays demand more energy than you actually have, this guide is for you.
Shavuot Without Stress is your step-by-step companion for building a meaningful holiday that fits your life – not someone else’s expectations. Whether you’re converting, reconnecting, or simply tired of trying to do it all, this printable guide gives you:
✅ Low-energy meal ideas
✅ Simple ritual options
✅ Sensory cues to create a sacred atmosphere
✅ A planning page that meets you exactly where you are
You don’t need to stay up all night or bake from scratch to celebrate with intention.
📥 Get the guide here
Transcript:
[00:00:00] I remember my first Shavuot feeling lost and unsure where to start. This framework changed everything,
helping me connect with traditions without feeling exhausted and burnt out.
If you’ve ever found Jewish holidays to be beautiful but draining Or you’re new to them, this video is for you.
This approach will change how you celebrate Shavuot. But also every holiday after.
I am gonna show you how to prepare for Shavuot in a way that feels simple, meaningful, and stress free
by focusing on just one ritual, one meal, and one atmosphere change.
You’ll have a clear, manageable plan that takes the overwhelm out of holiday prep.
Shavuot seems straightforward on the surface. Pretty simple holiday, right?
Dairy foods, maybe some late night studying.
But for newcomers and even some seasoned observers, the hidden expectations can make it a real source of stress.
The pressure to bake your own cheesecake. [00:01:00] Attend hours of overnight Torah study and navigate synagogue services with assumed familiarity
can leave you feeling overwhelmed before you’ve even started.
Many first timers, including myself, fall into this trap,
Assuming that every tradition must be fully observed right away.
You see elaborate dairy spreads on social media and think you have to do that too
and think you need to prepare multiple elaborate dishes.
You hear about the all night study sessions and feel like anything less invalidates the holiday.
This ” all or nothing” mindset creates unnecessary stress and it sets unrealistic expectations.
The key isn’t doing more. The key is doing with the right intention.
This leads to a practical suggestion that might work for you like it has for others.
Focus on three core elements to structure your holiday.
One meaningful ritual, one special thing about a meal, and one way to create a holiday atmosphere.
[00:02:00] So the ritual, start with something meaningful to you.
Lighting a candle or learning some Torah.
You don’t have to study all night or give a shiur, pick something that helps you feel connected. The classic choice is to light candles before sunset, but that doesn’t have to be what it is.
Now the meal. Don’t overcomplicate things.
A beautiful Shavuot meal can be as simple as a cheeseboard, blintzes from the frozen food aisle,
or a favorite comfort dish.
It doesn’t have to be dairy if you don’t want it to be. It’s just a custom.
The point is joy and intention, not exhaustion.
Now, holiday atmosphere.
Set the mood with small cues: white tablecloth, some fresh flowers.
Turning off your electronics for dinner.
These sensory clues gently shift your space into something sacred and special. No synagogue needed if you don’t want to.
Your first Shavuot doesn’t have to look like [00:03:00] someone else’s 20th Shavuot. Start small, start real, and let your practice grow from there.
this approach resonates with you, I created Shavuot Without Stress, A downloadable guide packed with tools
To help you plan your holiday with intention and joy.
It includes low energy meal ideas, adaptable rituals, and easy ways to create a meaningful holiday experience. That’s right sized for you and your life where you are now.
You can find it on Building a Jewish Life.com.
It is designed to save you time, energy, and last minute panic.
You deserve a Shavuot that fills you up instead of burning you out.
This guide can help you get there.
I am Kochava, Jewish convert and the voice behind Building a Jewish Life.com.
I create videos, guides, and resources to help people navigate the Jewish conversion process with support that’s real, tools that work, and people who get it.
You can [00:04:00] join my mailing list at Building a Jewish Life to get access to the Resource Library. It is packed full of freebies, trackers, Shabbat planning help, imposter syndrome support, rabbi meeting prep sheets, and more to come.
And if you need personalized support, I offer one-on-one coaching and consulting to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and real world solutions.
This journey is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. so glad you’re here.
