Ideas for Tikun Leyl Shavuot

The USCJ Jewish Living Now campaign of 5756/5757 produced a full sample of material for a congregational Tikun Leyl Shavuot.

• Planning Your Tikun: ideas, time schedule, logistics
• Publicity: press release, bulletin articles, "p.r. sermon"
• Texts: Torah, Mishna, Gemara, Midrash on themes of Talmud Torah - Kashrut, Shabbat, Tefillah, Tzedakah (30 pages)
• Study Guide: texts, questions, assistance for the teacher (56 pages)

The Tikun folder is available for $5. Send check in advance to:

USCJ Programming,
155 Fifth Avenue,
New York, NY 10010,
Attention: Ms. Ellen Gordon.

A Tikun Leyl Shavuot can be more than Torah and blintzes...

1. A Shavuot scholar-in-residence who teaches both in the evening and on Shuvuot (the first day) and depending on the schedule, i.e. Hebrew High/Confirmation Graduation, Yizkor (the second day). University Judaica professors, JTS/Ziegler faculty, USCJ directors, non-pulpit Rabbis, Hazanim and educators should be considered. Remember the valuable resource of Conservative Rabbis -- educators who are in Israel.
2. Marathon Perek Yomi: Start with the book of Joshua and read, read, read... until you complete the early Prophets, the Prophets and read your way through Ketuvim (Writings) until you "catch up" to the Perek Yomi Program which on Shavuot 5761 will be completing Job and moving to Song of Songs (Shir Ha Shirim). Remember to encourage and include the Kadima and USY members in a Marathon Perek Yomi!!
3. Shir V'Rikud: A portion of a Tikun Leyl Shavuot can be done with songs and dances. Enjoy the evening with songs of Israel, zemirot, spirited songs from USY and Ramah. Israeli dance only requires feet and clapping hands.
4. Make your own sundae: Kiddush on the first day of Shavuot and/or at the Tikun Leyl Shavuot can feature ice cream, frozen yogurt and toppings in keeping with the tradition of milchig (dairy) foods.

And there are serious matters too...

There are issues of concern for the Jewish people that can be discussed as part of a Tikun Leyl Shavuot. It will take a little reading and research. It will require some clergy and lay volunteers to prepare in advance.

1. The Temple Mount: Theology and Territory. The sanctity of Har Ha Bayit in Jewish tradition as opposed to its place in Islam. Whose sacred soil? Whose house of worship should stand? Who may ascend the mountain for prayer? Jew versus Moslem!
2. The Kotel: Where may Orthodox Jews stand in tefillah? Is there a place for Conservative Jews? Separate minyan. Mixed minyan. Egalitarian minyan. HaKotel Hamasortit... where is it? Jew versus Jew?
3. The Jewish case against cloning human beings. Rabbi David Golinkin, the Rector of the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem, has written on this controversial subject. Article in Jerusalem Post or Jewish Exponent March 29, 2001, page 37.
4. Moment (February 2001) and Moment (April 2001). The popular magazine MOMENT stirred up the emotions of many with an article that it entitled THE CONSERVATIVE LIE. The article itself was written by Avi Shafran, a representative of the Agudath Yisrael organization. Shafran sharply criticized the validity of Conservative Judaism and its commitments to mitzvot and halakha. That was February 2001. In April 2001 an article appeared written by Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein, Executive Vice President of the USCJ entitled AUTHENTIC JUDAISM. The two pieces, when read and discussed, can generate a meaningful understanding of different approaches to divine revelation, "Torah m' Sinai" or "Lo Bashamayim Hee." Instead of heat, the articles can shed light. Properly supervised, the exchange will help Conservative Jews to understand our origins, our approach, our commitment and its challenge.
5. What makes a Jewish leader a true Jewish leader? Our teacher/mentor Rabbi Neil Gillman on Parshat KORACH. Journalist Gary Rosenblatt on qualities of leadership (Jewish Week 6/13/97). (We'll fax the two short pieces to you). Shavuot is an excellent occasion for officers and leaders to reflect on the nature of and need for Jewish leadership. Also, there are over 450 graduates of the SULAM Leadership Program with looseleafs of ideas and enthusiasm to talk leadership. There are hundreds of IMUN graduates whose religious commitment to lead and teach is inspirational. Invite an IMUN or SULAM person to speak or teach over Shavuot. Or to lead a discussion.

A Time to Thank

• Shavuot is also a meaningful occasion to honor Religious School faculty, Junior Congregation leaders and school administrators.
• Shavuot is a perfect opportunity to honor those who are the guarantors of the daily minyan by virtue of their regular attendance.
• Shavuot is the day on which a congregation can pay tribute to the adults and teenagers who serve as Baaley Kriyah of Torah, of Haftorot, of Megillot throughout the year.
• Shavuot marks the achievements of adults who are dedicated through adult education to Torah learning. Certificates to those who learned to read Hebrew is in order. Acknowledging diligent participation in adult education is inspirational.