Shavuot

Shavuot and finding joy here and now

We are living with a cascade of disasters. Mass murders, war, climate chaos. I am so sorry and send my condolences to all of you, my fellow travelers. If you are moved to pray, here is a Kaddish that may speak to you. Mourner’s Kaddish after a Mass Murder from the Ritual Well. But I’m going…

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Posted in Shavuot
Published on June 1st, 2022

Tikkun Leyl Shavuot 2022

I am proud to say that right here in Berkeley, CA is an annual Leyl Shavuot event that I’ve been told is the oldest continually running event of its kind in the US. Tikkun Leyl Shavuot Save the date for the 34th Annual East Bay Tikkun: A Day of Learning on Shavuot! This year’s event…

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Shavuot: Make a tradition & keep learning

(Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay ) Shavuot begins at sundown this Sunday. Shavuot is a bit of a puzzler holiday. The Torah has very little to say about it. Most of what we know of ancient practices comes from the Mishnah. It was born as an agricultural holiday and acquired greater meaning in time….

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Shavuot 2020 is all Online

Synagogues have made an amazingly rapid turn to using the internet for programs, services, lectures, etc. Many of us expected to be “finished” with the COVID-19 lock down by now, but here we are. It’s the new normal. Even when houses of worship open some will not feel safe going into a crowd until there…

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Does God Talk to Us? – a Study for Shavuot

(Photo by Jenny Fish) Rabbi Milder of Beth Emek sent out this email. We all hear of people who say God told them to do something. Do Jews believe that God does that? Join Rabbi Milder and Rabbi Schulman for a stimulating virtual discussion for Shavuot. Details below.   Does God Talk to Us? Does…

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Posted in God, Shavuot
Published on May 26th, 2020

Shavuot: Cheesecake Holiday

(Image by Jlisska on Pixabay) Shavuot is one of those holidays that never gets the attention it deserves. It is one of the 3 pilgrimage holidays in the Torah – a really BIG deal. But to be honest there are not many practices that are connected with it. One that is so easy to embrace…

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