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 is a vaccine.
Shavuot begins Thursday evening and you can still study! Even if you are traditional in your practice there are alternative times; note Tikun “Erev” Shavuot below.
If you don’t see the Shavuot activities of the synagogue you are interested in, just go to that shul’s website and look at their calendar. If you are still having trouble you can email me at dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org and I’ll take a look for you.
Judaism puts Pikuach nefesh, saving a life, before all but three actions. Numerous rabbis have stated publicly that they must follow Jewish teachings and keep their congregants, staff and neighbors safe. PLEASE be safe, follow the CDC guidelines. Choose life!
ALL EVENTS ARE VIRTUAL, Cities refer to the location of the hosting synagogue
Tikun “Erev” Shavuot (Oakland)
Erev Shavuot (Lafayette)
What Did You Hear At Sinai? (San Francisco)
Shavuot Evening of Learning (Oakland)
Shavuot Service and Study Session (Pleasanton & Fremont)
Shavuot Study Session (Oakland)
Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot (Palo Alto & Los Altos)
Shavuot Torah Slam (San Rafael & Tiburon)
All Night @Sinai (Piedmont)
Reform Movement Tikkun Leil Shavuot (New York)
Tikkun Leil Shavuot with My Jewish Learning (East Coast)
Tikun “Erev” Shavuot: Climbing to Har Sinai Together
Orthodox synagogues may not use electricity on a holiday so Beth Jacob in Oakland will be hosting their Shavuot learning on the evening before the holiday, May 27. Go to their website to see the entire schedule.
Date May 27
Time: 7:30 to 10:30pm
Hosted by Beth Jacob, Oakland
Erev Shavuot
Here’s what Temple Isaiah in Lafayette has planned for Shavuot:
7-7:30pm Study with Rabbi Levine – “Receiving the Law: A Taste of Halachah in Reform Judaism”
7:30-8pm Study with Rabbi Perlman – “Reveling in Revelation: What it Might Mean to Truly Take on Torah as One’s Own”
8pm The Great Cheesecake Breakout – Join us for a brief teaching by Rabbi Perlman on the connection between Shavuot and eating dairy and then we will utilize breakout rooms for schmoozing over cheesecake with fellow congregants.
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 7:00 – 8:30pm
Sign up on their website
What Did You Hear At Sinai?
A Sha’ar Zahav Shavuot Learning Series
What Did You Hear At Sinai? Jewish tradition tells us that we all heard something different at Mt. Sinai. What did you hear? Come explore with text study, art, food, music, and more!
Pre-registration is required, and we’re asking everyone to select in advance which of the two Breakout Rooms you’d like to attend for each Session (Breakouts are listed below, with full descriptions below that). Each of the Breakouts will be 45 minutes long, with a 15 minute break in between. If you’re not sure whether or what time(s) you’re going to be there, please register anyway, and then show up as you like, and also feel free to come and go. Happy Receiving of Torah!
Please join us starting at 6:30, with a welcome and introductions starting at 6:45pm.
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 6:30 PM – Midnight
Online hosted by Sha’ar Zahav
Shavuot Evening of Learning
Temple Sinai in Oakland will host an online learning. There will be breakout sessions and a keynote conversation. Read all the details here.
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: Begins at 6:30pm
Host is Temple Sinai, Oakland.
Shavuot Service and Study Session
Each year, Congregation Beth Emek and Temple Beth Torah celebrate Shavuot together. But, unlike previous years, no one needs to travel! Join us online for the Shavuot service followed by a study session co-led by Rabbi Schulman and Rabbi Milder.
This year’s study topic is the provocative question:
Does God speak to us?
We will be exploring this topic from the perspectives of ancient Midrash and modern Jewish thought.
Date: May 28
Time: 7:30 to 10pm
Online hosted by Beth Emek, Pleasanton and Temple Beth Torah, Fremont.
Register here
Beth Emek: https://www.bethemek.org/
Beth Torah: https://www.bethtorah-fremont.org/
Shavuot Study Session
Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland will stream their services from the rabbi’s YouTube channel. Check out Rabbi Bloom’s channel for the holiday of Shavuot AND if you like, also for Shabbat services.
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 8pm
Hosted by Temple Beth Abraham, Oakland
Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Join the larger Jewish community for our annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a night of learning and connecting. We’ll begin with a panel discussion of “Torah for this Moment,” with Rabbi Janet Marder, Rabbi David Booth and Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky. After a short festival service, there will be study sessions led by Bay Area clergy and educators on a variety of topics.
5:00-6:00 PM: Shavuot Celebration for Kids and Families
7:00-8:10 PM: “Torah for this Time” — Panel Discussion with Rabbi Janet Marder, Rabbi David Booth, Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky and David Zimand. Moderated by David Waksberg.
8:20-8:50 PM: Shavuot Evening Service Choices — Contemplative, Yoga/Stretching, Musical and Traditional.
9:00 PM-12:00 AM: Hourly Learning Sessions
Midnight: Closing Gathering — Receiving Torah Together
Download and review the complete schedule.
The evening is FREE but you do need to register. Register here.
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 7:00 – 11:50pm
Zoom Videoconference
Co-sponsored by Congregations Beth Am, Kol Emeth, Etz Chayim and Keddem, along with Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, Kehillah Jewish High School, Jewish LearningWorks and the Oshman Family JCC.
Shavuot Torah Slam
Join Kol Shofar and Rodef Sholom for a virtual journey through the Torah with YOU as the guide as we celebrate the giving of the Torah on the festival of Shavuot! Several volunteers have signed up give a three minute drash teaching (or poem, expressive arts piece) on a Torah portion of choice and we will all have the joy of learning from each other! The evening will also include a cheesecake break (of course!) and a pause for the brief and beautiful festival service and candlelighting.
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 7:30–10:30pm
Sign in on the Rodef Sholom website.
All Night @Sinai
Get ready to receive some Torah! This Shavu’ot, we invite you to an all-night experience of Torah, teaching and embodied practice with amazing teachers, including body practice with Sandra Razieli and music with Hazzan Shulamit Wise Fairman. We can’t wait to be with you on this holy night of revelation!
May 28, 8:45 pm – May 29, 6:30 am
Go to Kehilla’s website to get the Zoom info.
Reform Movement Tikkun Leil Shavuot
The Union for Reform Judaism is holding an online study. View the offerings and times here on their website.
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 8:00 pm to ET (That’s a 5pm start time for the SF Bay Area)
Tikkun Leil Shavuot with My Jewish Learning
The website, My Jewish Learning, will off a long night of study. You must register. Please note the TIME. View the schedule and the teachers.
Register here.
Time: 8pm to 1am EST THAT’S 5pm to 11pm California time.