Following Our Erev Shavuot - Westminster Synagogue

A Handy How To

We're excited to have you join us for our Erev Shavuot Service and Tikkun Leil. Though not quite how we thought we would be celebrating this year, we're still very grateful to be able to share it together with our community.

We're being ambitious with our evening but it should make for a fascinating night. We hope it will be smooth sailing (though we thank you for your understanding if there are any technical difficulties) and just to help ensure you get the most out of the evening, here is some handy information below!

Preparation

There are a few things you may want to do to ensure that you're ready for the night ahead:

Access the Erev Shavuot Machzor - You'll be able to follow along with the service (that starts at 6:30pm) by clicking here. We do suggest ask that ahead of the service you either print out the Mazhzor, or have it accessible on a second device (that way you can stay connected on Zoom!)
Have a check to see if your session has any requirements - Our new Session Page has information about all the sessions that you'll be able to access before, during and after the night. Some sessions will have things uploaded in advance, others may be available afterwards (or just as the session starts!). So do keep checking this area!
Update your Zoom Etiquette - With so many people joining us for the evening, we want to ensure that everyone is heard at the right times! As such, read our document on Zoom Etiquette
Prepare your Zoom Area - Though there will be breaks and times to move away from your desk/computer. You may want to, particularly if you're staying with us all night, prepare some food/snacks in advance! We suggest a few cheese boards to get into the Shavuot Dairy Spirit - but whatever you fancy having around will be delicious we're sure - and don't forget your whisk(e)y for 11:30pm (or before)!
Do some Shavuot Learning - We've compiled a few resources from our favourite sites that you can use, so why not check them out by following this link!

On the Night

Log in! - You'll have received the link already (contact us if you have not) so make sure you're there for a prompt 6:30pm start. You'll be able to connect beforehand - so why not log in early and say hello to some friendly faces! Please note, that this link will be the same link used for all sessions (we'll be using breakout rooms) so if anything goes wrong, you can easily reconnect.
Join in! - Though you'll be muted for most of the service, don't let that stop you from joining in at home!
Dine in! - We suggest the best time to eat is either whilst listening to our Keynote speakers, City Harvest founder Laura Winningham, OBE & synagogue member and City Harvest trustee, Todd Benjamin, at 7:10pm - or during the Dessert and Dine time at 7:40-8:00pm - though of course you're welcome to eat whenever you get peckish!
Have a check to see if your session has any requirements - As mentioned above, our new Session Page has information about all the sessions that you'll be able to access before, during and after the night. Some sessions will have things uploaded in advance, others may be available afterwards (or just as the session starts!). So do keep checking this area!