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This page will be updated with resources before, during and after our Shavuot night. So do keep checking back!
Click here to return to the booking page.
Click here to get to the Shavuot Machzor Page.

5:30-6:15pm

Or Shabbat Session: Storytelling
with PJ Library

We are excited to welcome PJ Library for a special Children's Shavuot. Join us at 5:30pm, for engaging storytelling and festival fun for the whole family.

6:30-7:10pm

Erev Shavuot Service with Rabbi Benji - Click here to view the Machzor

7:10-7:55pm

*Keynote* City Harvest - Helping feed the most vulnerable 
with City Harvest founder Laura Winningham, OBE & synagogue member and City Harvest trustee, Todd Benjamin.

On Sunday May 16 as part of our community action commitment to social inequality and sustainability we will be addressing the issue of food poverty in London. It’s estimated some 10.2 million meals a month are missed in London because of food insecurity. City Harvest London which rescues nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste now delivers 250,000 meals a week to more than 350 London  charities, tackling the twin issues of hunger and climate change. It began 7 years ago with no resources but a strong commitment to not let good food go to waste. 

City Harvest founder Laura Winningham, OBE ​will join us along with synagogue member and City Harvest trustee, Todd Benjamin, to talk about the wonderful work the charity does and how it all began.

7:40-8:00pm

Dine or Dessert! with various member hosts

8:00-8:45pm

Shavuot - Where did it come from?
with Philippa Bernard

What is the story of Shavuot? Where did it come from? How do we celebrate it?

Join Philippa Bernard as she explores some of the history of the festival, its traditions, food etc.   

What Can the Book of Ruth teach us about being subversive to
be kind?

with Rabbi Benji Stanley

On Shavuot we celebrate receiving the Torah by Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai, and so also our Laws. However the Book of Ruth teaches us something else as well.

This Shavout Rabbi Benji will explore how the book of Ruth inspires us to go beyond and sometimes under the law in order to be kind.

Receiving the Torah each day
with Yael Roberts

On Shavuot we commemorate receiving the Torah. But what would it be like to receive the Torah each and every day? How can we bring the wisdom of Torah to our daily lives as a practice of study and action?

Join Yael Roberts as she explores texts about ongoing revelation, and brainstorm ways we can bring these messages into our learning community at Westminster Synagogue. 

8:45-9:30pm

Shavuot - Where and How with Jewish Education 
with Rabbi Dr Thomas Salamon

At the end of the Counting of the Omer we celebrate the Festival of Shavuot, the Time of the Giving of the Torah. What is Torah, why was it Given to the Jewish people and what, how and why should we care for it as a tool and also part of Jewish Education?

 “A Roman Soldier has asked Rabbi Hillel, probably in jest for the Torah be explained to him while he stood on one foot. Whilst another Rabbi namely Shammai dismissed the man, Hillel gently chastised the man, saying: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary; go and learn.”

 Join Rabbi Thomas to discuss, in this session on the Torah and Jewish Education

Loving Kindness and Music at Shavuot
with Yoav Oved

To celebrate Shavuot, all you need is love(-ing kindness) and a true spirit to come and sing.

Our lovely cantorial singer, Yoav Oved, will explore with you different expressions of truth and love in Judaism. There will be some stories, lots of questions and plenty of singing!

For this session, we will use this source sheet.

9:30pm

Whiskey Room with various member hosts 

This page will be updated before, during and after our Shavuot night. So do keep checking back!
Click here to return to the "Following our Erev Shavuot" Page 

Fri, 29 March 2024 19 Adar II 5784