Revelations & Revelry: a Rodef Reads Shavuot Celebration

Revelations & Revelry: a Rodef Reads Shavuot Celebration

Sponsored by Rodef Reads

Saturday, June 8 8:00 PM–Sunday, June 9 at 12:15 AM

This event is for TRS members and their friends!

Shavuot…it’s about more than cheesecake! Jump into your PJs and get ready for a uniquely entertaining and interactive late-night celebration of Shavuot. The evening starts with Havdalah, festive song and tasty treats, as we begin our “exodus” to freedom, and concludes with a recommitment to our enduring Covenant with God.

We’ll re-imagine the “Journey to Sinai” with study, dancing and drumming, yoga, blintzes, and luscious libations at the (adult) Dairy Bar! Our entire TRS clergy team will bring short learning sessions on the themes of Creation and Revelation, all infused with deep meaning and great fun. Don’t forget to wear your favorite pajamas (optional)!

We encourage taking Uber or Lyft for those who will be savoring multiple "adult beverages" at the Dairy Bar. We will not be able to provide overnight accommodations.

Event Schedule

8:00–8:30 PM: Dairy Bar and Nifty Noshes

8:30–9:00 PM: Welcome and Havdalah (Cantor Shochet)

9:00–9:40 PM: Session 1: Freedom

Shavuot: What’s Freedom Got to Do with It? (Rabbi Bernstein)

What does freedom mean for the Israelites once God liberates them from Egypt? What is the relationship between the gift of freedom and the responsibility the Israelites will assume once they receive God’s revelation at Sinai? How does their new-found freedom change their relationship with God?

What you Probably Never Learned About the 10 Commandments (Cantor Leider)

Did you know that there are two different versions of the 10 Commandments in the Torah? How can this be so? Did you know that the 10 Commandments used to be a central part of the worship service? Why did this change? Explore these and other themes that will lead to greater insight and understanding of Judaism.

9:45–10:25 PM: Session 2: The Journey

Preparing for Sinai – Body and Soul (Hillary Horn)

Have your own moment of spiritual preparation through yoga and meditation.

Creating Community – Beyond Sinai (Rabbi Schwartzman)

This session will explore texts that articulate our individual obligations to our community. What mitzvot lead us towards being a kehillah kedoshah? What individual and communal actions does Judaism require of us? How do we build a foundation that welcomes and raises up the sacred in our midst?

10:30–11:00 PM: Celebration – enjoy one or more:

Drumming with Hannah Piracha, Dancing with Joanne Stefanick and/or Dairy Bar with "Mixologists Extraordinaire" Ted Kavich and Michael Herman & Delightful Dairy Desserts

11:05–11:45 PM: Session 3: Revelation

Under the Mountain (Cantor Leider)

Hear some of the surprising midrashim (Rabbinic teaching stories) about our people at Sinai and the moment of choosing whether to accept Torah. Cantor Leider will guide us through some of these stories, each with a unique perspective and message about who we are as a people and our values.

What is God Asking of Us? (Rabbi Saxe)

Sages from Hillel to Akiva have tried to sum up the thrust of revelation in one sentence. Others have written law codes of many volumes. Our own Reform Movement has a document, too – have you studied it yet? Join Rabbi Saxe in examining how Reform Judaism breaks down what God asks of us in the covenant at Sinai.

11:50 PM-12:15 AM: Siyyum/Concluding Ceremony/Covenant (Cantor Rhodes)

RSVP by: June 7 at 12 noon.

Please email us if you need any accommodations to participate in the event.