Towards the end of May, we celebrate the second of our three major festivals, Shavuot. It’s just two days compared to the weeklong festivals of Passover and Sukkot. But within these two days of Shavuot, our Beth Sholom celebration will be exciting and grand as we celebrate revelation at Sinai.
We start off recreating the Sinai Experience together at our annual community-wide L’ayl Tikkun Shavout celebration at Temple Israel on Saturday night, May 19th. Our community celebration has really grown with now twelve area synagogues and institutions for a spectacular evening of tefillot, Torah study, and workshops. Our program has attracted over 100 people of all ages. What was most special for me was seeing so many TBS members mingling with congregants from the area communities as one kehillah. Just like standing at Sinai with our ancestors.
There will be special sessions geared towards families with children, followed by a community dairy catered dinner. The sign-up reservation for dinner is already out, or just call the office. After dinner, we will gather for an inspiring talk by the famous author and Jewish communal leader, Anita Diamant. Then, there will be an array of different study sessions and workshops led by area congregants, rabbis and cantors. And of course, we all gather together to conclude with a spiritually uplifting Shavuot evening service and the reading of the Ten Commandments at midnight under a chupah! Although I admit using this line before, this will definitely be an evening you won’t want to miss!
Then on the first day of Shavuot, during services, our incredible religious school students will help lead the service and even read the actual Ten Commandments. We will also take time to dedicate three new plaques with our old Torah breast plates and hang them on the sanctuary wall. It is just another wonderful opportunity to celebrate the specialness of Torah.
Finally, on Monday morning, we will read from the inspiring book of Ruth and recite Yizkor, one of four times during the calendar year.
So, make this year a Shavuot celebration for you and your family, here at TBS and with our greater Jewish MetroWest Kehillah.
B’Shalom,
Rabbi, Dr. Larry Bazer