Come enjoy a wonderful Shavuot Festival here at Shir Hadash!  What is Shavuot? A special time to celebrate the giving of "first fruits" (grains, fruits, and vegetables), and celebrate the start of summer! Together we'll be enjoying delicious dairy desserts, a service outside on our patio, and honoring the joy of learning at our Festival of Learning! 

We can't wait to have scholar Dr. David Graizbord, joining us this year. A historian of early modern and modern Jewish identities, Dr. Graizbord's research focuses on the Western Sephardi Diaspora. He will guide us in:

4:30pm Afternoon Workshop: "L'dor'v'DON'T: What NOT to say when talking about Jewish Identity to the Next Generation": Let's explore with Dr. Graizbord the trends in the continuing evolution of Jewish identity in the US, and foster healthy inter-generational Jewish communication!

8pm (approx) Evening Festival-of-Learning Session: "Inquisition, Kabbalah, & the Hidden Jews of Spain: Untangling the Myths of Sepharadim" We'll use figurative tweezers to separate fact from fiction, history and memory, in the story of the Jews of Spain and Portugal--their emergence, their persecution at the hands of Iberian Catholics, their eventual expulsion, and their inner world—including Kaleidoscopic Kabbalistic currents!

We've planned so many fun things to do at our Shavuot Festival, you'll find something special and meaningful for everyone of all ages:

• Sinai Lounge Beer Garden (adult 21+ only), come and sip a refreshing beer outside on our patio - meet friends new and old and celebrate the joy that Grains bring to our lives. Non-alcoholic beverages also available.
• Shavuot Children's Festival - we'll have activities for different age groups! Kids are encouraged to dress up as a fruit, vegetable, grain, farmer, bee or butterfly in honor of Shavuot!
• Shavuot Dinner - Cost is $25 per adult (age 13 and older) and $15 per youth (age 12 and younger).
• Shavuot Service (outside!) - on our patio/grass we'll enjoy singing, praying, celebrating receiving the Torah, and commemorate Shavuot together in community. 
• After the service is Shavuot Dessert - get ready for dairy-licious desserts galore! 
• Festival of Learning (Tikkun Leil Shavuot) - Dr. Graizbord will guide an incredible afternoon workshop and evening session (details above!).