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

Blooms & Blessings: BIYP Shavuot Flower Crown Workshop
Thursday, May 29
7:30 PM
$5/person
Join us for Blooms & Blessings, a special Shavuot evening with B’nai Israel Young Professionals! Create your own beautiful flower crown while enjoying a delightful spread of wine, cheese, and great company. Celebrate the spirit of Shavuot with creativity, community, and a touch of nature!

Sweet Shavuot Creations
Sunday, June 1
3:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Two cooking rounds, up to 10 parents for each round
$5/family (no limitation for the number of kids; kids can’t sign up without at least one parent)
Get ready for a sweet Shavuot adventure! Join us for a fun, hands-on cooking session where parents and kids create a delicious and easy Shavuot dessert together. Perfect for all ages, and no oven required, just creativity and smiles!

Congregational Shavuot Dinner and Celebration of Learning
Sunday, June 1
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. We will honor our teens who have participated in learning throughout the year as we usher in the celebration of Shavuot. All are invited to stay after dinner for festival services and the Tikkun Leyl Shavuot.

Tikkun Leyl Shavuot
Sunday, June 1
8:30 PM
Explore Jewish texts in new and meaningful ways as we engage in this annual late night tradition of studying Torah on Shavuot.