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Tikkun Leil Shavuot (In-Person and Virtual)
Sat, Jun 4 @ 6:00 pm–Sun, Jun 5 @ 7:30 am
Our community's all-night learning in celebration of the giving of Torah. Multiple in-person and virtual learning tracks, special learning for children, families, and teens and Adults. This year's focus: Journeys – Transformation of Space, Time, and Soul.
All-Night Learning Schedule
Session Intensive (Paradies Hall) General Learning (Ellman Chapel) Family (Courtyard) Saturday, June 4 6:00 - 7:20 p.m. God's Journey Through Jewish History - The beliefs that the ancient Israelites held about God - as expressed in the Tanakh - have evolved in clearly definable stages ever since biblical times. We will explore this evolution over the course of Jewish history, and see where it leaves us today, and where it might take us in the future. Led by Dr. Steve Chervin Story Slam Workshop - Share a story from your spiritual journey and learn the art of story-telling. Led by Rabbi Sam Blustin Ruth's Selfless Journey: A Storytelling Workshop - Join Barry Stewart Mann, professional storyteller, for an interactive storytelling workshop. Learn about Ruth’s selfless journey from The Book of Ruth, our traditional Shavuot reading. With puppets and maps, we will also explore our own family journeys, exploring and sharing the narratives that are most important to us. This is an in-person, live session only. Led by Barry Stewart Mann 7:30 p.m. Mincha (Ellman Chapel) 8:00 p.m. Seudah Shlishit (Courtyard) Journeying to the Tikkun Leil Shavuot (Courtyard) While many commemorate Shavuot and the giving of the Torah by study sessions, often lasting all night, the questions as to why we do it and what we should study, often goes unanswered. This session examines the beginning of Tikkun Leil Shavuot as it moved from the original event in Salonica, Ottoman Empire to Tzfat and thence to the wider Jewish world. We also will reflect on the “original” Shavuot study guide as delineated by Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (HaAri, the Arizal) designed as a “journey” through the entire Tanakh. Led by Dr. Edward Queen 9:00 p.m. Ma'ariv/Havdallah Service (Courtyard) 9:45 p.m. Exploring the Book of Ruth - Women are the prominent characters in this story about attachment and loyalty. We will explore the contour of the narrative and then dive into some gems hidden in the Hebrew that most translations barely reveal. This is a spiritual journey for the protagonists as well as for anyone reading the text deeply. Led by Jim Dricker Just Talking to G-d: The Spiritual Practice of Rebbe Nachman - Rebbe Nachman was the great-grandson of Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chasidic Judaism. This style of worship was marked by simcha. He taught that to be sad was a major sin and that when in prayer, we should shout, clap our hands, laugh, and dance. His great-grandson furthered the movement with the addition of a unique and simple form of prayer called Hitbodedut. Not to replace the thrice daily prayer services, but to elevate each by spending an hour a day just talking with G-d as will a dear friend, in whatever our native language is. Led by Marty Cohen 10:45 p.m. As the Court's Decision Approaches... What Does Jewish Tradition Say About Abortion? - We live in a difficult moment. The US Supreme Court appears to be poised to change the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in America nearly five decades ago. Most Jewish organizations that have staked out a position on this issue identify themselves as “pro-choice.” Why? Can our Jewish textual history be called “pro-choice?” In this session, we will study several classical Jewish sources to discern our tradition’s views and why they ought to matter both inside and outside the Jewish community. Led by Rabbi Neil Sandler Niggunim: The Melodies of our Journey - Led by Debra Cohen 11:45 p.m. Bio Break Sunday, June 5 12:00 a.m. You Are the Detective - Objects of Our Journeys - Artifacts can enlighten us about a journey an individual or community has undertaken. Through a hands-on examination of objects and pictures, we will piece together journeys taken by biblical and/or prominent Jewish figures of the past. The study session will conclude with participants identifying the items and pictures they would choose to convey the story of their journey. Led by Marcia Lindner Psalm Enchanted Evening: A Short Journey Through Hallel - Psalms of praise (Hallel) are said during the morning service of the three Pilgrimage holidays. We'll look at how Hallel takes us on a path toward gratitude. Led by Judy Marx 1:00 a.m. The Women Who Shaped David's Life - We will trace King David's life thru the eyes of the women who helped to save it and shape it From Michal thru Abishag. Led by Dr. Linda Lippitt Kirtan Chants Through Prayer of Wondering - Led by Bonnie and Michael Levine of Sunmoonpie 2:00 a.m. Human Beings as Well as Remote Sages: The Personalities of Some Talmudic Giants - Hillel was gentle, Rabbi Yochanan b. Zakkai was gracious, Rabbi Chaninah b. Dosa was just unbelievable. We’ll take a look at the anecdotes that give us a glimpse into the personalities of some of the Rabbis who created the Talmud. Led by Rabbi Chaim Listfield When is Revelation Not So Revealing: A Personal and Impersonal Journey - Shavuot is the holiday that celebrates revelation, but we cannot agree on when it should be. The "Ten Commandments" are the ultimate revelatory experience, yet we cannot agree on that. This will lead to a "Tale of Two Cities," Shechem and Jerusalem, which will illustrate a journey through time and a non-journey through time. Along with a personal spiritual-learning journey from Hebrew school to adulthood. In the words of the King of Siam: "When I was a boy; World was better spot; What was so was so; What was not was not; Now I am a man; World have changed a lot; Some things nearly so; Others nearly not." Led by Dr. Paul Feldman 3:00 a.m. Preparing Ourselves for the Ultimate Journey - The Chevrai Kaddishah, Holy Fellowship, is entrusted with the holy task of cleaning and preparing a body for burial. Join Rabbi Rosenthal as we explore the rites and rituals that are performed by the Chevrai Kaddishah, what these rituals mean and what we really believe about the journey from this life into the next. Led by Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal The Still Small Voice Inside - Led by Rabbi Sam Blustin 4:00 a.m. My Favorite Talmudic Stories and What They Say about Life! - Led by Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal 5:00 a.m. Bio Break 5:15 a.m. Hashkama Morning Service (Courtyard) 7:30 a.m. Breakfast
