Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it is a celebration of Torah, education, and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life.
We invite you to join us for food, learning and community throughout the holiday.
Tuesday, May 30th, 2017
This year, Shavuot, the Jewish holiday celebrating the giving of the Toarh at Mt. Sinai, coincides with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast during the day for 30 days. On Tuesday night, Iman Mowlid Ali will introduce our Tikkun Leil Shavuot (night of learning) by teaching about Muslim understandings of revelation. When the fast ends at the end of his session (and the Shavuot holiday begins), Beth El will host a dairy Iftar, a break-fast meal, for Imam Mowlid and friends from Jamaat-Ibad-Ar-Rahaman in Durham. The event starts at 7:30 with introductions learning by Imam Mowlid on Muslim Understandings of Revelation.
We will mark the end of the Ramadan fast at 8:30 pm with a traditional snack followed by Ma’ariv with Rabbi Greyber in the Sanctuary. Our friends from Jamaat-Ibad-Ar-Rahaman will conduct their own prayer service in the library at the same time and then we will come together in the Social Hall for a delicious dairy Yom Tov dinner.
Click here to register for the dinner.
Following dinner our Tikun Leyl Shavuot learning will continue with sessions led by Rabbi Greyber, Rabbi Sager and Rabbi Larry Bach from Judea Reform. Fill up on delicious Carrboro Coffee and cheesecake to continue the learning until approximately 1:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 31st, 2017
9:00 a.m. Morning Services in Main Sanctuary and Orthodox Kehillah followed by Kiddush
Thursday, June 1st, 2017
9:00 a.m. Morning Services in Main Sanctuary
10:30 a.m. Yizkor
Followed by Kiddush
