A Special Saturday Night Shavuot Program - Come, Discuss and Eat!

This Saturday night, May 26, is Shavuot, and we are trying something new that actually follows an old Jewish tradition on this holiday: we are going to meet to learn, to talk, and (of course) to eat! 

First, we need to give you the "where and when."  This program will run from 8 pm to 10:30 on Saturday, at the home of Ed and Rebecca Rice, which is at 3641 Bernay Drive in Northbrook.

Now the "what."  There are two important traditions about Shavuot.  First, you are supposed to get together at night, and learn together about Jewish topics.  Second, you are supposed to eat - specifically, dairy products.  So we're going to combine the two (with flexibility for those for whom dairy is a problem). 

So first, the learning.  Not just one topic, but four!  We will have four bite-size  time periods of about a half-hour each, and during each of them, a leader will start a discussion by teaching about a topic, then will open the floor for our usual free-flowing dialogue. 

Here are the topics.  First, Rabbi Eitan will teach from the Book of Ruth, which will lead us into a discussion aboutmodern relationships.   Steve Lewin will follow up with another topic from the Book of Ruth - about intermarriage and conversion.  Then we will switch to a different area entirely, and Ed Rice and Burton Kopulsky will lead a discussion of Israel, but not about politics: instead, it will be about Israel's world leadership in high technology.  Finally, Fred Andes will teach us about a Recon topic, but not about philosophy: instead, since we talk a lot about "Rabbi Kaplan," we will find out exactly who Mordecai Kaplan was - and you will be surprised!

OK, now about the food.  We'll do our traditional "bring your own dessert" - in the Shavuot tradition, it should be dairy, but it would be good if some folks can bring non-dairy and non-gluten products as well, so everyone can enjoy.

One final thing: if you are coming, please RSVP to Rebecca atr.rice1@comcast.net or call her at847/509-9951.  And see you Saturday!

Creative Worship & Ritual Committee