Shavuot Across Brooklyn

Shavuot Across Brooklyn is coming up! On Thursday, May 25, join different minyanim, synagogues and organizations from across Brooklyn in an all-night celebration of study at Congregation Beth Elohim. Beginning at 9:15pm, the program will feature dozens of different lessons from some of the finest teachers in our borough, ending with sunrise services in the wee hours of the morning. All in the spirit of acknowledging the moment when we received the Torah at Sinai. This event is a hallmark of the Brooklyn Jewish calendar and we’re excited to be part of it again this year.

Co-sponsored by Lab/Shul. Featuring Naomi Less, Shira Kline, and Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie. 

Looking to learn with the Lab/Shul Team? We’ll be offering sessions at:

10:15 PM Commandment 5: Honor Your Parents – Building Legacy/Breaking Cycles

Naomi Less & Basya Schechter

Two teachers, spiritual leaders, musicians and moms of young children explore the complexity of the 5th commandment through music, text, commentary, sacred conversation. Come and find out what is revealed in your heart, mind and spirit.

11:20 PM Dream Climbing through אמת וש׳רה (emet v’shira / truth and song)

Shira Kline & Emet, Ari Monts

Waking dreams, Conscious dreams, Revelations? Emet and Shira offer text and song to practice dreaming into revelation. Join us to blur the lines between mental practices, body practices, and dream prescriptions. An immersive ritual for revelation to learn from our Bodies, Torah, and Tony Kushner.

10:15 PM  – 2:30 AM Born Divided. Israel & Judah: Then, Now, Next?

Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie

Can a lesser known chapter from Jewish history help repair the widening rupture in Israel and throughout the Jewish world with a model for co-existence?

Join Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie for 4 interactive study sessions (stand-alone or consecutive) weaving biblical scholarship, archeology, and politics to explore what the hidden history of the divided Jewish kingdom can teach us about our present and future realities.

The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah lived alongside each other for over 200 years in the Iron Age, ruled by 45 kings & queens, railed at by 20 prophets, as the tribes worshiped multiple deities. A close reading of this chapter brings up a timeless and timely question: What if, only when divided, we survive?

The track will begin with an overview session in HEBREW ONLY, followed by four sessions, each also stand-alone, focusing on one story from the history of the divided kingdom, from the early divisions during the time of King David to the final destruction by Babylon.

No prior knowledge is necessary.