Shavuot begins at sundown on Saturday, June 8, and ends the evening of Monday, June 10.
Although its origins are founded in an ancient grain harvest festival, Shavuot has long been identified with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt.
There are many congregations hosting study sessions or celebrations involving cheesecake and ice cream, as eating dairy products during Shavuot are customary.
Following are some of those celebrations. Be sure to check our online June calendar for new events added after this story posted: https://orjewishlife.com/calendar/
Hineh Ma Tov: A Night of Joyful Jewish Learning
June 8, 6-10 pm at Sunnyside Community House, 3520 SE Yamhill Road, Portland. 503-473-8227
A night of joyful Jewish learning on the East Side! Classes and workshops will be led by members and leaders of TischPDX, The Alberta Shul, The Portland Jewish Yoga Collective, Moishe House and Congregation Shir Tikvah. The evening will be a chance to learn more about Shavuot, a night we traditionally come together to learn. Torah study alongside music, yoga and cooking classes will be offered.
Sliding scale $5-$15. Join us!
Co-sponsored by Tisch PDX, Congregation Shir Tikvah, Alberta Shul, Moishe House and The Portland Jewish Yoga Collective.
Shavuot Layl Tikkun in Ashland
June 8, 8-11:45 pm at Havurah Synagogue, 185 N Mountain Ave. Ashland. 541-488-7716
Rabbi David says, “Shavuot is the anniversary of when our people received the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. It is an auspicious night to come together as a community. Hearing the Ten Commandments is powerful in itself but the words have the power to penetrate each individual and bring personal revelation and healing to some personal struggle. We all get free from Egypt, and on Shavuot we find out why. Come join us!” Free
8 pm: Rabbi Sue Morningstar and Dr. Marty Towbin read the Ten Commandments
9 pm: Rabbi Emanuel Ben-David has a very special Power Point presentation to share
10 pm: Rabbi David Zaslow leads a teaching on the Book of Ruth
11 pm: Rabbi Julie Benioff brings folks from Temple Emek Shalom to lead a special teaching
Tikkun Leil Shavuot at Kesser Israel
June 8-9, 11:30 pm-5 am, at Kesser Israel, 6698 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland. 503-222-1239
The Soul of the Matter ~ Who Are You? This program will offer coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts to nourish your soul … plus:
Soul Searching: Where’s the Soul & Afterlife in the Bible? 11:30 pm, with Rabbi Ken Brodkin: As Jews, we often hear about the eternal soul and the afterlife. Oddly enough, they don’t seem to be mentioned in the Bible. Join us for an in-depth learning session as we look one layer below the surface of the Bible. Delve into the sources and discover a deeper part of yourself!
Panel Discussion: Who Are You? 12:30 am, with Dr. Rivka Berzow, Dr. Charles Kuttner & Rabbi Chanan Spivak (moderated by Rabbi Brodkin): Join us for a candid conversation as a rabbi and two health professionals explore the nature of the soul and human spirituality. How do we know if we have a soul? Could this simply be an idea that humans fabricated? If we do have a soul, what does that mean for our real day-to-day lives?
Followed by a full night of learning and Neitz (sunrise) Minyan at 4:45 am.
Young Family Shavuot Celebration
June 9, 4:45-5:30 pm at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland. 503-246-8831
Join other young families for some Shavuot fun! There will be yoga, snacks and connection. Click here to RSVP for yoga.
Following the young family program, there will be a communal dinner. Click here to RSVP for dinner.
Shavuot Food Demo & Dinner with Rav D and Kasey Mills of Shalom Y’all
June 9, 5:30-8:30 pm at Congregation Neveh Shalom. 503-246-8831
Join Neveh Shalom for a special Shavuot cooking demo by former chef Rabbi David Kosak and head chef of Shalom Y’All and the Mediterranean Exploration Company, Kasey Mills. The demos will be intermixed with rich stories about international Jewish cuisine.
Dinner will follow.
Shavuot Bikkurim Parade & Fruit Drive
June 10, 10:30-1 pm at Congregation Kesser Israel. 503-222-1239
On Shavuot, also called “Yom HaBikkurim,” the Festival of the First Fruits, Jewish farmers used to bundle their first fruits and take them to the Temple as an offering. Connect with this practice and give back to the community through the Bikkurim Parade at Kesser Israel.
In the Bikkurim Parade children will carry their fruit baskets, meet the Rabbi, donate their fruit, and sing a song. Special Shavuot Crowns will be distributed at Kesser Kids’ Time that morning.
Kesser Kids’ Time at 10:30 am will be followed by the parade at noon.
Shavuot Yizkor Service at CSP
June 10, 10-11:30 am at Cogan Chapel, Cedar Sinai Park, 6125 SW Boundary St., Portland. 503-535-4038
Cedar Sinai Park’s great friend Eddy Shuldman conducts Shavuot Yizkor service with the flair, warmth and interactive style she is known for. Services will be held in the Cogan Chapel in CSP’s Harold Schnitzer Center for Living.
