Schedule

For a printable version of our schedule, please click here.

*These programs involve technology, music, video, writing, etc.

 

9 PM

Singing at the Foot of the Mountain: Receiving Torah through Song
Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz
Join in an immersive communal song experience to mark the beginning of Shavuot. Through raising our voices and spirits together, we'll ready ourselves for the deep dive into experiential learning and rich Torah that lies ahead. All are welcome for this songful ritual practice—no singing experience necessary!
This program will use amplification and singing, with no instruments.
Roof



10 PM

Signed, Sealed, Delivered? The Story Behind Israel's Declaration of Independence
Yochai Maital
Yochai Maital, co-founder of the Israel Story podcast, will take you behind the scenes of their latest project—"Signed, Sealed, Delivered?"—produced for Israel's 75th anniversary. Together, we'll go back to basics and explore where we came from, where we are, and where we're going. We will take a deep dive into Israel's founding moral compass: Megillat Ha'atzmaut—the Declaration of Independence. This session is part of WZO's Jewish Peoplehood Hub, "Dem-o-krat-ya: voices, vision, and values."
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

Elevator Torah
Rabbi Igael Gurin Malous
Rabbi Iggy will teach very short texts about community, responsibility, self development, and spirituality in 40 seconds to a few minutes, while people are riding the elevator.
Elevator 4

What Happened to Jewish Comedy?
John Podhoretz
For nearly a century, Jewish comedians and writers set the tone for what was funny in America. Now...not so much. What the hell happened?
7th Floor Beit Midrash West

Flourish: Jewish Tools for Thriving
Rabbi Ben Spratt + Cantor Shayna De Lowe
Reclaim a higher purpose for Jewish wisdom and practices, and learn text and tools to help us thrive together. Weaving ancient understanding with modern research, we will explore a multitude of ways Jewish behaviors can deepen our sense of gratitude, purpose, and belonging.
7th Floor Library

The Power of Moral Imagination
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
What would it mean for this world if more of us approached moral problems with moral imagination, meaning we use the same energy, enthusiasm, and intensive intellectual effort we put towards solving problems in science, medicine, business and other areas of human innovation to address moral issues? Among the subjects to be addressed are inspiring empathy, inspiring repentance, when nothing can be done, when something can still be done, and when moral imagination confronts evil.
7th Floor Conference Center

A Beginner's Guide to Life + Death
Stephanie Garry + Rabbi Melanie Levav
Join us for an interactive exploration of end-of-life planning, inspired by Jewish wisdom that encourages us to confront mortality to add meaning to our lives. Consider your wishes for how you want to live the rest of your life, recognizing that we're all mortal. From healthcare decisions to funerals, burial, mourning, and everything in between, we will explore the ways in which clarifying your values can empower you to make decisions that are life affirming.
7th Floor Reception Room

HaMiffal Pop-Up Gallery Tour
Nir Namir
All the way from Jerusalem, experience an exclusive guided tour of Soaked, a pop-up exhibition that showcases vivid, watery works on paper by Jerusalem-based artists. Nir Namir, art sales representative from HaMiffal Art Platform, will share stories of the art, artists, and unique collaborative community that created this Shavuot-focused show!
7th Floor Makom

The 5 Best Ways to Fight Antisemitism
Rabbi Diana Fersko
We hear a lot about antisemitism, but are we really doing what's best to fight it? What doesn't work and what could work? Hear about the top strategies organizations and individuals are using today and share your opinions as we engage in a communal brainstorm and facilitated conversation about how we can best fight this persistent hate.
5th Floor Fitness Studio

*Beginner Line Dance
Rona Kaye
An introduction to the great sport of line dancing, with basic beginner-level choreography to all types of music. Line dancing offers cardiovascular, memory provoking, and social interaction benefits. This is an international phenomenon...come join in the fun! No partners needed.
4th Floor Fitness Studio

How Do American Jewish Institutions Address the Current Israeli Government?
Mari Cohen, Dana Steiner, Rabbi Josh Weinberg + Alex Lederman
A panel of experts will explore the trends they are seeing in Israel engagement, their philosophies on the role of the American Jewish community with regard to Israeli politics, the challenges they are facing, and actions they think should (or should not) be taken. Moderated by Alex Lederman.
3rd Floor North Gym

The State of the Upper West Side
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal + New York City Council Member Gale Brewer
Get to know our local representatives and hear about their vision for the future at this town hall style program. There will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions. Moderated by Sheryl Parker, director of The Joseph Stern Center for Social Responsibility.
3rd Floor South Gym

*Restless Night (לילה לא שקט): A Journey through the Songs of Shlomo Artzi
Gali Rabin + Udi Urman
We can't talk about Shlomo Artzi without talking about Israel. The two are only a year apart in age, and have walked almost hand in hand over more than 70 years. Shlomo Artzi's career spans over 70 albums. This year, he was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize, which he declined. This session will explore the intersection of Shlomo Artzi and Israel with live musical performances.
2nd Floor Communal Space

Meditation: Opening the Heart to Revelation
Sheldon Lewis + Sheila Lewis
Through Jewish meditative and contemplative practices, we will direct our awareness into the heart to become more open and receptive to revelation and its ongoing treasures. Join us for a deep and restful dive into the joy of Shavuot and the upliftment we can take with us.
Mezzanine Classroom

B'chol L'vav'cha: Jewish and Queer Liturgy of the Last 50 Years
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum + Rabbi Yael Werber
In honor of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah's 50th anniversary, l explore the transformational, radical, and deep impact of CBST's tefilot/liturgy in a changing landscape. We will look at the earliest liturgy of the community from the 1970s all the way up to the current siddur edited by Rabbi Ayelet Cohen and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum.
L1 Classroom

Fleishman is in Trouble: A Conversation with the Creator
Taffy Brodesser-Akner + Rabbi Joanna Samuels
Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of the acclaimed novel Fleishman is in Trouble, will sit down with JCC CEO Rabbi Joanna Samuels to discuss Jewish identity—how it informs and exists independent of her career as a journalist and author—and the impact of "the Fleishman Effect" for readers and watchers of her story.
L2 Auditorium

Are You There God? It's Me, Naomi—Faith and Love in Book of Ruth
Rabbi Charles Savenor
The story of Ruth is filled with heartbreak, despair, and palpable fear about facing the future alone. Just when it seems that God and the world have turned their back on those in need, Ruth restores our hope that support, love, and inspiration can emerge anywhere. Together we will explore this timeless text and its honored place at the center of Shavuot.
L2 Teen Center

*Syrian Cheese-Making Workshop
Jewish Food Society
Join the Jewish Food Society (JFS) for a cooking demo highlighting an intergenerational Syrian string cheese recipe from their global digital archive. Danielle Brodsky, JFS culinary coordinator, will lead a hands-on lesson in the kitchen and join Yael Raviv, JFS's COO, in conversation about the story behind the recipe. The workshop will conclude with a tasting and the opportunity to share your own culinary traditions with the Jewish Food Society.
L3 Culinary Center

*Collage Workshop
Michal Nachmany
Collage art is an opportunity for personal expression—connecting past to present, telling a story of a journey, of friendship, of a family, of a city. This evening brings out a creative side as we learn about friendship and loyalty in the Megillat Ruth. (The name Ruth comes from the Hebrew word reut, meaning friendship.)
L3 Mixed Media Room

Sweet Shavuot for Teens: Feast, Fondue + Friends with BBYO
BBYO hosts this teen space in celebration of Shavuot, with guided holiday-themed reflection, activities, and games, paired with festive cheese and chocolate fondue All teens in grades 7-12 are welcome to join!!
L3 Drawing + Painting

Resurrecting Ruth
Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses
Shavuot features the figure of Ruth, whose book we read on this holiday. She is a Moabite, part of a despised people, the ultimate stranger who becomes an ancestor of King David. Ruth's arduous and courageous journey offers a roadmap for traveling from the margins to the center. How might we tap into "Ruthiness," the essence of redemption in Judaism? How might those of us who feel like strangers, alienated from the Jewish community, build a home for ourselves? Participants are invited to bring small bits of poetry and other Ruth-related texts to share at this session.
L3 Classroom 1

Jews and Booze Whiskey Tasting
Josh Mann
A fun, interactive, curated tasting of nine exclusive single barrel picks of whiskey from Jews and Booze, in a variety of styles, led by Josh Mann of Jews and Booze and First Cut Barrel Co.
Hosted by 20s + 30s (all are welcome).
L3 Classroom 2

Moon-Gazing through a Jewish Lens
Rabbi Yael Rapport
The moon holds a central place of honor in Jewish life. As the anchor of our calendar, the new moon ushers in each Hebrew month. On this Tikkun Leil Shavuot, observe the moon's waxing crescent from our rooftop, barely six days into the month of Sivan, and study the special significance of this moment in time and space!
Rooftop



11:15 PM

Dem-o-krat-ya—Voices, Vision, and Values: Reclaiming Israel's Declaration of Independence
Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove, Ph.D., Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Nessa Rapoport + Yizhar Hess, Ph.D.
The ongoing political crisis in Israel and the ensuing protest movement have brought the country's founding document, the Declaration of Independence, back to the forefront of public discourse. Join Rabbis Elliot Cosgrove and Rick Jacobs, Nessa Rapoport, and Yizhar Hess, Ph.D., for a fascinating panel on the Declaration, its vision for Israel, and its continued relevance. This session is part of WZO's Jewish Peoplehood Hub, "Dem-o-krat-ya: voices, vision, and values."
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

From Ezekiel to Ancient Astronauts: Jews, UFOs + Aliens in Contemporary American Culture
Rabbi Daniel M. Bronstein
This session will examine how Jews, both contemporary and ancient, have been incorporated into contemporary UFO culture. Drawing on a variety of sources, including contemporary interpretations of the Bible—Jewish and otherwise—sci-fi fandom, and even contemporary antisemitic conspiracy literature, we will examine how Jews and Judaism have been re-framed through popular culture.
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

Awakening Our Jewish Future—Textual Wisdom for Times of Transformation
Rabbi Ben Spratt + Rabbi Josh Stanton
Join Rabbis Josh Stanton and Ben Spratt, co-authors of Awakenings, in exploring the future of American Judaism. Drawing on Talmud and Torah, we will examine the wisdom of prior times of transformation in Judaism, and how we can, personally and collectively, embrace the opportunities of this time of change.
7th Floor Library

Kohen Grandé—On Kedushah and Drag
Abbi Gezunt
"Please welcome to the stage—Kohen Grandé!" Why is the Kohen Gadol (Grand Priest) dressed like a modern day drag queen, and how is this related to the concept of kedushah (holiness)?
7th Floor Conference Center

Shavuot in the Shtetl: The Story of the Yiddish "Women's Bible"
Pamela Brenner
Tikkun Leil Shavuot is a time-honored tradition. But what did Torah learning look like in the shtetls of Eastern Europe, especially for women? This session explores the Tsene-rene, the Yiddish "women's Bible," and who the work was really intended for. A study of excerpts of this seminal work, in translation, will pay close attention to audience and gender, authorial intent, translation techniques, and midrashic layering.
7th Floor Reception Room

Open Your Hands to the Great Hand: The Power of Gesture
Rabbi Mira Rivera
A stationary Hamsa—hand decoration—on the wall becomes animated into the opening of hands in Poteach et Yadekha in the Ashrei prayer, which becomes a gesture of opening of regret. While the hands are our instruments of action in the world, they are also the way through which Spirit is revealed. Explore how Jewish text looks upon the hands as symbols of power, authority, the whole person, and life itself.
7th Floor Makom

Jews Do Drink! And Do Drugs, Too: The Secret History of Jewish Addiction
Rabbi Igael Gurin Malous
The human condition has remained similar for thousands of years, so it's no surprise that alcohol, drugs, sex, and gambling are part of history (despite our attempts to hide it); we can find them even in Talmud. By exploring the ancient history of all of our addictions and seeking remedies for them, we are challenged to seek meaning and spirituality on our path to recovery. Join us in study, to seek answers so that we are all better prepared to face the challenges of life and recovery. You don't have to be an addict to be in recovery.
5th Floor Fitness Studio

*Broadway Jazz Dance
Joseph Harrington
Learn a Broadway jazz dance combination in this fun, challenging class for the theater and dance lovers at heart! Each class will start with a warm-up and body activation work before learning and dancing a piece of choreography.
4th Floor Fitness Studio

Leopoldstadt's Joshua Malina (Scandal) + Aaron Neil in Conversation
Joshua Malina + Aaron Neil
Actors from the six-time Tony Award-nominated play Leopoldstadt—Aaron Neil, who appeared in the original London production and is making his Broadway debut in the production now playing at the Longacre Theatre, and Joshua Malina, a new addition to the Broadway cast —discuss their experience working on what's been called Sir Tom Stoppard's most personal play and the importance of telling this inherently Jewish story right now.
3rd Floor North Gym

Brokenism vs. Status Quo: Discovering a New Dichotomy
Alana Newhouse + Rabbi Diana Fersko
"To see the cracks in the building before it collapses—that is a Jewish experience. To argue about whether the building can be saved or has to be evacuated—that is a Jewish debate. To find a way to somehow invent an entirely new kind of building—that is a Jewish act." Alana Newhouse's recent Tablet essay, "Brokenism," charts two paths toward the Jewish future: revitalizing and reinvesting in current communal structures; and radically rebuilding. Alana and Rabbi Diana Fersko bring new perspectives to a debate that is both ancient and contemporary in the Jewish community and American society.
3rd Floor South Gym

*Succession Live: Music from the Hit HBO Show
MusicTalks
In celebration of the award-winning HBO show's finale, MusicTalks' string quartet will perform selections from Succession's baroque-influenced soundtrack paired with music by Handel and Vivaldi. Experience how this modern-Shakespearean drama brings royal baroque music to the 21st century.
2nd Floor Communal Space

*Have You Ever Wanted to Learn How to Create an Animation?
Hanan Harchol
Animator Hanan Harchol will take you through the step-by-step process of creating your own short animation using your iPhone or iPad. No previous experience necessary.
Mezzanine Classroom

*Synagogue Music of the 1970s
Joyce Rosenzweig + Cantor Sam Rosen
Synagogue music composed during the 1970s was best known for sophisticated and sweeping choral textures, classical art song-like settings, experimental jazz and rock services, neo-Chassidic songs, and American folk-style participatory songs. Listen to live performances of gorgeous, groovy, and groundbreaking Jewish music, from formal to folk. Join Congregation Beit Simchat Torah Music Director Joyce Rosenzweig and Cantor Sam Rosen for a session exploring this pivotal decade in Jewish music history.
L1 Classroom

*Broadway's Tovah Feldshuh: Conversation + Performance
Tovah Feldshuh + Rabbi Joanna Samuels
Six-time Tony and Emmy nominee Tovah Feldshuh, currently starring in Funny Girl on Broadway, joins JCC CEO Rabbi Joanna Samuels for an intimate conversation about her Jewish identity and career on stage and screen, plus a touch of a performance from one of her celebrated one-woman shows, with Nathan Dame at the piano.
L2 Auditorium

Israel at an Inflection Point: The Netanyahu Government's Judicial Overhaul + the Future of Israeli Democracy
Alex Lederman
Efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul Israel's judicial system and alter the relationship between branches of government have sparked unprecedented social unrest, amid concerns about how proposed reforms might impact the country's security and Jewish and democratic character. How this issue plays out could have existential consequences for Israel's future. Join Alex Lederman of Israel Policy Forum for a conversation on the state of the judicial overhaul, Israeli politics, and efforts to reach a negotiated compromise.
L2 Teen Center

*Sip + Paint
Aston Phillips
Let's get together in our painting studio. Aston Philip, a contemporary painter living and working between Sydney and New York City, will guide us through the steps to create a unique work of art. During our Tikkun paint party, you will get to express yourself creatively and learn new art skills while socializing and sipping a drink or two.
L3 Mixed Media Room

Kvetch-22: Jewish Jokes About Arguing With God
Andrew Silow-Carroll
Starting with Genesis, Jews have had the audacity to argue with God. We'll read Jewish jokes and texts not only about Jews who tease, argue, cajole, and banter with their Creator, but who actually expect to win. And we'll explore whether this is blasphemy, or a noble impulse endorsed by tradition and four out of five rabbis.
L3 Drawing + Painting

Waking Up Again at Sinai
Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses
According to ​​midrashic​ ​tradition, when God came to give the Israelites the Torah, they were sound asleep. Accordingly​,​ 15th​-​century​ ​Kabbalists instituted a tradition of staying up all night, a ​t​ikkun (repair) of the sad fact that the Israelites were asleep at the spiritual wheel on that all-important day at Sinai!! What does this tradition mean for us? In this session, we will consider the spiritual and psychological nature of the Sinai experience, as well as the symbolism of slumber and wakefulness, exploring ​the​ states of wakefulness required in order to fully receive Torah.
L3 Classroom 1

Unkosher Comedy Show—Shavuot Style
The Bible Players
Come and laugh with the Bible Players—a stand-up/improv/interactive Jewish comedy show!
L3 Classroom 2



12:30 AM

Peoplehood Playback Improv Theatre: Your Jewish Story Comes to Life by an Israeli Ensemble
PlayGo Playback Theatre
The talented artists of Playgo Theatre join us all the way from Israel for a live, interactive showcase of Jewish Peoplehood, in which audience members share stories from their lives. Take part in a fun and unforgettable experience in which stories from our Jewish lives and our bond with Israel are brought to life on stage. Uncontrollable laughter guaranteed, and perhaps a few tears. This session is part of WZO's Jewish Peoplehood Hub, "Dem-o-krat-ya: Voices, Vision, and Values."
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

Can Jews Go Up to the Temple Mount? An Unholy Mix of Law + Politics
Rabbi David Hoffman
Using case study of laws governing whether it is permissible to ascend to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, we will explore the interaction between law and ideologies.
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

Do Orthodox Jewish Women Have it All?
Rabbanit Adena Berkowitz + Rebbitzen Sara Shulevitz Vorhand
How has being a Jewish woman changed in the last few decades? Rabbanit Adena Berkowitz and Rebbetzin Sara Shulevitz Vorhand will discuss the impact and challenges that changing societal attitudes have posed to Orthodox Jewish women; and how the Torah and Jewish tradition have guided them in their own paths in law, Jewish community work, and mental health care.
7th Floor Library

The Maiden and Her Lover
Rabbi Roly Matalon, Rabbi Felicia Sol + Rabbi Rebecca Weintraub
B'nai Jeshurun Rabbis Roly Matalon, Felicia Sol, and Becca Weintraub unfold a beautiful parable in the Zohar, the central text of Kabbalah, and reflect on the encounter with Torah and the meaning of Revelation.
7th Floor Conference Center

The God of Love
Abby Eisenberg
Although Judaism is known for the belief in one God (or the oneness of God), ideas about God from antiquity to modernity have demonstrated varied aspects of the divine. In the 21st century, why not choose to focus on a loving God, and more broadly, on love in Jewish text and tradition? Explore biblical, rabbinic, and contemporary texts centered on Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) and texts that express love, nurturing, and sustenance as core Jewish values.
7th Floor Reception Room

TheHaMiffal Pop-Up Gallery Tour
Nir Namir
All the way from Jerusalem, experience an exclusive guided tour of Soaked, a pop-up exhibition that showcases vivid, watery works on paper by Jerusalem based artists. Nir Namir, art sales representative from HaMiffal Art Platform, will share stories of the art, artists, and unique collaborative community that created this Shavuot-focused show!
7th Floor Makom

Liberal Zionism: A Textual Approach
Rabbi Josh Weinberg
This session will look at a number of different texts spanning the ancient, classical texts as well as modern to provide grounding, language, and insight to grappling with a liberal vision of Zionism for contemporary times.
5th Floor Fitness Studio

American Jewish Identity Beyond Israel and the Synagogue
Arielle Angel, Michele Schulman, Rabbi Mira Rivera + Andrew Silow-Carroll
Explore current challenges of Jewish life and identity, new opportunities outside of Israeli engagement and the synagogue, and ways to create Jewish leadership and identity in our new normal. With Arielle Angel of Jewish Currents, Michele Schulman from Moishe House, and Rabbi Mira Rivera from JCC Harlem; moderated by Andrew Silow-Caroll, editor of The Jewish Week.
3rd Floor North Gym

*A Little Night Music: Mozart to Sondheim
MusicTalks
Experience the beauty of Mozart's chamber piece Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music) together with a tribute to Sondheim's musical A Little Night Music. The MusicTalks string quartet will share fascinating anecdotes in a performance of some of the most beloved music by these two giants, celebrating two remarkable works written 200 years apart.
2nd Floor Nursery Communal Space

*Why Would I Ever Want to Forgive a Person Who Hurt Me?
Hanan Harchol
Why would you want to forgive someone who has wronged you? Is there any benefit to forgiving? Is there a personal cost to not forgiving? This session will feature an eight-minute video by animator Hanan Harchol, creator of Jewish Food For Thought, followed by a lively interactive discussion, including some text study.
Mezzanine Classroom

Commitment, Chosen Family + the Lineage of the World to Come: Exploring the Book of Ruth
Aliza Schwartz
"Where you go, I will go; where you lie, I will lie; your people shall be my people, and your God my God." What does this type of commitment evoke in us today? What is its impact on the world around us? Delve into the captivating story of the book of Ruth, exploring themes of commitment, loyalty, repair (tikkun), the journey of a Jew by Choice, and, ultimately, direct connection to the lineage of Moshiach (Messiah/World to Come). Celebrate the profound impact of Ruth in shaping our collective Jewish identity and its enduring contributions to Judaism in the 21st century.
L1 Classroom

Crowns of Torah: A Drop-In Debate Club for the Sake of Heaven
Elisha Wiesel + Rabbi Yael Rapport
Machlochet l'shem shamayim—disagreement and debate for the sake of heaven—is a beloved Jewish tradition! No background (seriously, no Rashi needed—only your well-reasoned instincts) and no prep necessary (in fact, no prep is required) for this fast-paced and fun dive into words of Torah. Surprising, silly, and serious Torah topics will be presented for debate in lightning rounds, with points awarded for off-the-cuff, innovative interpretations and sincere enthusiasm. Debate will be modeled and facilitated by two lifelong students of Torah, Elisha Wiesel and Rabbi Yael Rapport.
L2 Teen Center

*Issues of the Court: Asking Hard Questions + Seeking Common Ground
Tali Farhadian Weinstein + Justice Ayala Procaccia
Former federal and state prosecutor, Tali Farhadian Weinstein, draws the landscape for the ramifications of proposed Israeli judicial reform, on both domestic and international levels, through conversation and investigation with former Israeli Supreme Court Justice Ayala Procaccia. Get the basics of the dilemma through a comparative lens, and hear exclusive and incisive analysis through the eyes of these top legal minds, both American and Israeli.
L2 Auditorium

Better Arguments Workshop
Erik Gross + Sheryl Parker
The Better Arguments Project is a national civic initiative created to help bridge divides—not by papering over those divides but by helping people have Better Arguments. In this sense, arguments don’t have to drive us apart. Better Arguments can bring us together. In this workshop, you will learn about the Better Arguments Project’s approach to constructive, empathetic disagreement and engage in reflection and discussion about how you can help improve dialogue in your community. The Better Arguments Project is a partnership between the Aspen Institute, Facing History and Ourselves, and Allstate.
L3 Drawing + Painting

*Sip + Paint
Aston Phillips
Let's get together in our painting studio. Aston Philip, a contemporary painter living and working between Sydney and New York City, will guide us through the steps to create a unique work of art. During our Tikkun paint party, you will get to express yourself creatively and learn new art skills while socializing and sipping a drink or two.
L3 Mixed Media Room

*Chanshi (Screening)
In this Israeli television series, Chanshi (Aleeza Chanowitz), a young Jewish religious girl from Brooklyn, decides—just before her wedding and despite her family's objections—to abandon everything familiar to her, and immigrate to Israel. In this dark comedy, Chanshi embarks on a wild and reckless journey, and the transition from a life with a clear set of rules to a life without any rules at all thrusts her into a whirlpool.
L3 Classroom 1

*It's Time to Wake Up: 75 Years of Protest Songs in Israel
Gali Rabin + Udi Urman
The year 2023 has been one of the most tumultuous in Israeli history. Hundreds of thousands have flooded the streets in protest, week after week. Among the flags, banners, and presentation art, music has been a powerful presence. Throughout the years, music has been part of the propaganda and one of protest's biggest tools—from wars to victories to countless social causes. Join us as we tell the stories behind the songs and acts that changed Israeli society.
L3 Classroom 2

*Silent Disco Party
Grab a set of headphones and choose between three channels of party music to dance the night away on the JCC rooftop! Hosted by 20s + 30s (all are welcome).
Roof (Rain Location: 4th Floor Fitness Studio)



1:45 AM

Between Manhattan and Kaplan: The Diaspora Response to Israel's Political Crisis
Yizhar Hess, Ph.D.
In recent months, Israel's traditionally tumultuous politics have reached a whole new level. From its very origins, the Zionist project has always been a shared project of Jews everywhere. So how can and should this crisis impact the way diaspora Jews engage with the Jewish state? Where and how can they make their voices heard? This session is part of WZO's Jewish Peoplehood Hub, "Dem-o-krat-ya: voices, vision, and values."
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

Confessions of a Jewish Broadcaster
Rabbi Zev Brenner
Hear about the famous people and stories Rabbi Zev Brenner has covered over 41 years, including Al Sharpton, Shlomo Carlebach, Rabbi Meir Kahane, Alan Dershowitz, Neturei Karta, and others, with a special focus on contemporary Jewish issues.
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

Keep Moving: How the Soviet Jewry Movement Sustained Momentum for 30 Years
Shaul Kelner
The United States saw enormous changes from the protests of the 1960s to the Me Generation of the 1970s to the Reagan Revolution of the 1980s. And yet, the movement to free Soviet Jews somehow endured as a mainstay throughout. How did the Soviet Jewry movement adapt to stay relevant through changing times? And what lessons does this offer to activists today?
7th Floor Library

Nefesh Tachat Nefesh: How Explorations of the Biblical Adage "Life for Life" Can Inspire Everyday Activism
Rabbi Becky Jaye
As we receive the Torah at Sinai tonight, we reflect upon the values and traditions of Judaism that we love, and also those that make us feel a little uncomfortable! Join us to explore God's command of "life for life" in Parshat Emor, and the ways it can be interpreted to incorporate humanity and everyday activism into your life.
7th Floor Conference Center

Project Zug: Choose Your Own Learning Adventure
Project Zug's Shavuot Companion provides everything you need for a great learning experience! With five sessions to choose from, you and a learning partner can jump into deep, meaningful, accessible text study. Whether you're new to learning Jewish texts or you've been studying in chevrutah for years, we're sure you'll find something here that speaks to you.
7th Floor Reception Room

*Israeli Folk Dancing For All in Celebration of Shavuot
Ruth Goodman
Experience the joy of Israeli folk dance in celebration of Shavuot! Join in the exuberant spirit, traditions, and diversity of the Jewish people as we celebrate Chag HaBikkurim (Festival of the First Fruits), Chag HaKatzir (Harvest Festival), and Matan Torah (Giving of the Torah).
3rd Floor South Gym

*Klezmer at the Ukrainian Shtetl
MusicTalks
The MusicTalks klezmer ensemble, led by clarinet virtuoso Host and Avigail Malachi, will offer a wide selection of tunes that tell the story of klezmer's journey from the shtetl in Ukraine to the Big Apple. Together we will sing, dance, laugh and shed a tear with some of the most beloved klezmer tunes that are full of heart and soul.
2nd Floor Communal Space

*How Do We Rebuild After a Personal Loss?
Hanan Harchol
While loss is a part of life, it can feel so overwhelming, and the pain can be so great, that the thought of rebuilding can feel daunting or even impossible. How can one possibly rebuild, when the loved one is no longer there? While life can never be exactly the same as it was before, loss can have a transformative power, providing an opportunity to rebuild a "new" life that is informed by both the experiences of life before and after the loss. This session will feature a five-minute video by animator Hanan Harchol, followed by a lively interactive discussion, including some text study.
Mezzanine Classroom

Olam Chesed Yibaneh: Building LGBTQ Institutions + the Legacy of Irving Cooperberg
Adam Graubart
Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Adam Graubart delves into the rich history of LGBTQ institutions and organizations, spotlighting the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Irving Cooperberg. Discover the pivotal role played by activists in forging a path towards equality and acceptance within the Jewish community. Uncover Cooperberg's profound contributions as an advocate and leader, exploring the challenges faced and victories achieved. Together, let's honor and learn from those who paved the way for a more inclusive and diverse world.
L1 Classroom

*Éléonore Weill + FADA Friends: Enchanted Songs of Love and Resistance
Éléonore Weill, Ali Dineen + Amy Carrigan
FADA (Occitan/French slang for "crazy," or "inhabited by fairies") is a folk-chanson voyage through the phantasmagoric universe of singer and multi-instrumentalist Éléonore Weill, who grew up in the hill county of Southern France. She is joined by longtime friends and colleagues Ali Dineen and Amy Carrigan in original and traditional songs of resistance, peace, justice, and love in French, Occitan (the major Southern French language), Corsican, and Yiddish.
L2 Auditorium



3 AM

Let Me Hear Thy Voice: The Jewish Singers Who Made Women's Voices Heard
Tammy Gottlieb + Meytal Yosef
Join us for a vocal concert and song session focused on Israeli music, inspired by trailblazing Jewish women. Hear their stories and their contributions to and influence on Israel and the Jewish world. This session is part of WZO's Jewish Peoplehood Hub, "Dem-o-krat-ya: voices, vision, and values."
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

Feldmesterins, Zogerins + Klogerins—Forgotten Female Ritualists of the Shtetl
Annabel Cohen
While most public religious institutions of traditional Ashkenazi society—the shul, beys midresh, and Hasidic shtibl—were male domains, one important public space is often described in memoirs and memorial books as a women's realm, namely the cemetery. We will read some of the texts about female ritualists who worked in many of the cemeteries of Eastern Europe—as cemetery measurers, professional mourning women, and shamanesses who spoke to the dead.
7th Floor Beit Midrash East

What Dreams Reveal: Angels in America and Berakhot (Blessings)
Ari L. Monts
Tony Kushner's play Angels in America reminds us that dreams put us at the "threshold of revelation." But when should we take heed of those revelations? On a night when the lines between waking and dreaming are blurred, come learn what the Gemara says about dreams in conversation with what Kushner offers us.
7th Floor Library

Thoughts on Zionism
Jeff Feig + Moshe Horn
Moshe and Jeff will discuss a brief history of Zionism with a focus on some foundational texts as well as a variety of thoughts and reactions to Zionism. The will engage with some high school and college students to understand their experience in high school and college campuses and their reaction to what they have been facing and will face.
7th Floor Conference Center

*Israeli Folk Dancing For All in Celebration of Shavuot
Ruth Goodman
Experience the joy of Israeli folk dance in celebration of Shavuot! Join in the exuberant spirit, traditions, and diversity of the Jewish people as we celebrate Chag HaBikkurim (Festival of the First Fruits), Chag HaKatzir (Harvest Festival), and Matan Torah (Giving of the Torah).
3rd Floor South Gym



4:15 AM

Closing Circle with Blessings + Communal Singing
Rabbi Yael Rapport
We close our Tikkun Leil Shavuot 5783 with a brief daybreak ritual, ushering in the dawn with blessings of gratitude and song, led by Rabbi Yael Rapport, director of The Gottesman Center for Jewish Living. Breakfast will be served, generously donated by Zaro's Family Bakery, a fourth generation family-owned New York institution since 1927.
Lobby