Shavuot
Shavuot
Shavuot, a time of culmination, is a complicated holiday, which weaves two strands of tradition together.
From the Torah we inherit an agricultural celebration that marks the end of the grain harvest, which began during Pesach.
From later tradition and rabbinic reconstruction, we receive the spiritual meaning of Shavuot. We mark the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai seven weeks after the exodus from Egypt, and revelation of the Torah follows directly from the experience of Exodus. We are freed not only from slavery but also to enter into a covenant between God and Israel.
There are many agricultural customs: bringing baskets of first fruits to the temple and greening the shul by decorating with flowers, branches, and the special Jewish papercuts known as shavuosl (after Shavuos) or raizelach (after raizel/rose – because of their floral designs). You can download templates and make your own papercuts through these links: Deer, Circle, Star
We sing Hallel about the wonders of nature and the miracle of redemption. We read the Book of Ruth, an incomparable story of displacement, homecoming, and the future, and we read the Ten Commandments. And then there are blintzes.
The above photo was taken at a Havurah class on making blintzes.
Sun, October 27 2024
25 Tishrei 5785
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Havurah Updates
Link Correction to Video Recording of Let There Be Light Vigil (Oct. 7, 2024)
Click here [link corrected] to access the video recording of Let There Be Light: A Vigil to Honor All t
Upcoming Events
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Sunday ,
OctOctober 27 , 2024
Sunday, Oct 27th 9:00a to 1:00p
The holidays are over! Time to disassemble the sukkah and take it down to the basement! Members, please sign up on the High Holiday Volunteer Signup to help us out! -
Sunday ,
OctOctober 27 , 2024
Sunday, Oct 27th 11:00a to 1:00p
Join us to hear about plans for the future of Havurah and give your input! -
Sunday ,
OctOctober 27 , 2024
Sunday, Oct 27th 11:00a to 2:00p
RSVP for key event information. This is an opportunity for Havurah teens (grades 7-12) hosted by Tivnu and Havurah's Teen Engagement Committee. This project will be at Hazelnut Grove, a self-governed tiny house village. We will build planter boxes for the community and assist with any other work the residents of Hazelnut Grove ask us to help with. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to use tools to build stuff – our staff will teach you. -
Sunday ,
OctOctober 27 , 2024
Sunday, Oct 27th 2:30p to 5:00p
Come to a MACG (Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good) training session hosted by Havurah's MACG committee. RSVP at https://www.macg.org/octla -
Monday ,
OctOctober 28 , 2024
Monday, Oct 28th 6:00p to 7:30p
We are resuming our monthly letter writing on the last Monday of each month to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Contact Dale Oller. Havurah members and non-members welcome. RSVP for Zoom info. -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 29 , 2024
Tuesday, Oct 29th 7:00p to 8:30p
Join us to hear about plans for the future of Havurah and give your input! -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 30 , 2024
Wednesday, Oct 30th 6:30p to 8:30p
Youths being called to the Torah this year will build community and ask, “What does being Jewish and becoming bar, bat, or b’nei mitzvah mean to me?” Led by Rabbi Benjamin. -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 30 , 2024
Wednesday, Oct 30th 6:30p to 8:15p
Explore Sephardic music through lecture, recordings, and live music. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and sing songs, but no singing ability is required. Led by Eric Stern. -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 30 , 2024
Wednesday, Oct 30th 6:30p to 8:30p
For Grades 7 and 8. -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 30 , 2024
Wednesday, Oct 30th 6:30p to 8:30p
For Grades 9-12.