Holiday Celebrations

Shavuot (literally “Weeks”) marks the conclusion of the seven week period of counting that begins on the second night of Passover. The two-day holiday is also called Z'man Matan Torateinu, the Season When Our Torah Was Given, as it marks the time when Moses received the commandments at Sinai. Shavuot is also an agricultural holiday, marking the beginning of the summer season. It is traditional on the first night of Shavuot to stay up all night studying Torah, almost as a reenactment of the preparations at Sinai. Liturgical additions include the reading of the Book of Ruth on the recitation of Yizkor memorial prayers on the second day of the festival.

At B’nai Israel, our annual Tikkun Leyl Shavuot (Evening of Study) is often accompanied by a festival dinner with traditional dairy foods. Members of the congregation lead study sessions on various topics and the evening is dedicated to the memories of Rabbi Henry and Yetta Segal. On Shavuot, our congregation also celebrates Confirmation, which recognizes the commitment of our tenth-graders to ongoing Jewish study in the Talmud Torah Upper School.

Shavuot services & programs

Congregational Shavuot Dinner
Tuesday, June 11
6:30 PM
Shavuot is the celebration of revelation, Torah, and dairy! Join us for a delicious dairy meal as we kick off our Shavuot celebrations. All are invited to stay into the night for festival services and the Tikkun Leyl Shavuot. DINNER RESERVATIONS HAVE CLOSED, BUT PLEASE JOIN US THE REST OF THE EVENING! 

Festival Ma’ariv Services
Tuesday, June 11
8:00 PM
Our evening service, including both Mincha and Ma’ariv, welcomes the festival of Shavuot. During the service we will honor the Confirmation Class of 5784 with remarks and a gift. 

Confirmation Class of 5784
Theo Gittleson
Samuel Hankin
Rebecca Shapiro
Jeremy Silberglied 

Tikkun Leyl Shavuot
Tuesday, June 11, 8:30 PM
The evening service transitions into our Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, an annual celebration of Shavuot. This evening of study and learning is dedicated in memory of Yetta and Rabbi Henry Segal. We will begin with a brief dedicatory introduction, followed by our formal program.

A View from Campus: Opportunities & Challenges for Jewish Life Today
8:30 PM
Since October 7th, universities across the country have faced rising antisemitism, peaking just a few weeks ago with the encampments that often turned openly antisemitic. At the same time, Jewish life on campuses across the country has continued to flourish despite these conditions. Join us for a panel discussion and hear about what it has really been like on campus from people who were there. This conversation will be facilitated by Wendy Fanaroff. Panelists include Micah Gritz and Michelle Rojas-Tal.

Cheesecake Break
9:30–9:45 PM
No Shavuot would be complete without a little dairy! Enjoy a cheesecake break before we continue our later learning sessions. 

Congregational Session
9:45–10:30 PM
The Power and Purpose of Speech with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Americans laud our constitutional right of free speech, but we also push back against hate speech. Where to draw the line is a question that many have been forced to answer this year. But what does Judaism say about the purpose and power of speech? Where do we draw lines for ourselves and why?

Teen Session
9:45–10:30 PM
All B’nai Israel teens are invited to gather for their own Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, complete with dairy treats! Join staff, clergy, and young adults from the community for learning sessions with our teens.

Click here for more information and to register.

Shavuot Festival Morning Services
Wednesday, June 12 and Thursday, June 13 at 9:00 AM
Join us for Shavuot Festival Morning Services on Wednesday and Thursday, June 12 and 13, at 9:00 AM both days. Yizkor will be on Thursday, June 13 at approximately 10:45 AM. 

Sundaes on Wednesday Shavuot Party
Wednesday, June 12
During the Congregational Kiddush
We invite all our B’nai children and their families to continue the traditional dairy “feast-itivies” on the first day of Shavuot, at this make-your-own-sundae party.