In smoke and fire, concealed and revealed, the Torah comes to us as a gift from God. On Shavuot, we open ourselves at night to receive the Torah, and enact our presence at Mount Sinai in the morning with Torah reading and celebration.

Learning sessions both overnight and the following afternoon, as well as a community picnic and ice cream truck!

Join us too for festival prayers, joyful and song-filled Hallel, and chanting of the Ten Commandments. Hear the once-a-year sacred poetry of “Akdamut” the four-chapter, four-handkerchief love story of Ruth. Yizkor will be held on Day 2 to honor and bless the memory of our deceased family and friends.

Quick Links:

Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Day 1 Services and Learning Opportunities

Day 2 Services and Community Picnic

Tikkun Leil Shavuot — All Night Torah Study!

Sunday June 1, 9:30 PM, through Monday June 2, 7:00 AM
Ma'ariv at 9:30 PM
Classes from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM
Early Shacharit Service from 5:00 to 7:00 AM
Location: Fort Washington Collegiate Campus

Fueled by caffeine and cheesecake, light-headed from lack of sleep, we enter an altered state of mind and body that can open us up to new insights. New friends may also be revealed as we gather, laugh, and learn.

This year's theme: "Becoming the Mountain" -- In times of dislocation and disorientation, what Torah do we need that can help us to be steadfast and grounded, resistant and resilient? Even in the wilderness, what qualities of the mountain enable it to be the anchor for receiving the Torah? In learning how to embody endurance for the long run, how do we distinguish between self-care and self-indulgence, between consistency and complacency? Our learning this year will gather around these themes, as well as other topics relating to Shavuot, Torah, the Book of Ruth, and more.

Coffee, cheesecake, and other treats will be available.

Space will also be available for independent learning on one's own or with a study partner.

Check back here for full schedule of sessions, teachers, and topics!

Shavuot Day 1

Morning Services
Monday June 2, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Children's programming as usual at 10 and 10:45 AM in classrooms.
Location: Fort Washington Collegiate Campus
Featuring “Akdamut” (“Introductory Words”) — a strange and beautiful Aramaic poem that introduces the Shavuot reading of the Ten Commandments with sweeping theology and a vision of redemption. Please note the early version of the service offered at 5:00 AM following the Tikkun Leil Shavuot (see above). All are welcome at either.

Daytime Torah Learning and Childcare
Wednesday June 12, 3:00-5:00 PM
Location: Fort Washington Collegiate Campus
Learning for grownups, and supervised activities for kids of all ages! Weather permitting, both will take place outside in the Garden; if not, we'll move inside to the Nursery and North Room. A great opportunity for all who can't do the late-night study but would like to partake in Torah discussion on Shavuot! 

Sessions at 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Check back soon for schedule of sessions, teachers, and topics!

Shavuot Day 2

Morning Services, with Megillat Ruth and Yizkor
Tuesday June 3, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Children's programming as usual at 10 and 10:45 AM in classrooms.
Location: Fort Washington Collegiate Campus

Join us for Megillat Ruth, the original classic of love and loyalty — taking us from the harvest origins of Shavuot, through wrenching human relationships, to the footsteps of Messiah. We’ll also hold a Yizkor service around 10:30 AM – with psalms, readings, and the liturgy of mourning, we call to mind those who have left our world. Donations in honor of Yizkor may be made to FTJC by clicking here.

Day 2 Community Picnic
Tuesday June 3, 12:30-2:30 PM
Location: Cafe Lawn in Fort Tryon Park
Join us after morning services. Bring your own dairy/pareve lunch, as well as blankets to sit on and games to play. (Weather permitting.)

Ice Cream Truck
Tuesday June 3, 2:00-4:00 PM
Location: Next to Javits playground, Fort Washington Ave near Margaret Corbin Circle.
Come to the Mr. Softee truck that parks right outside the Jacob Javits playground. Vouchers will be available there from FTJC volunteers, as well as at our Shavuot learning and services. These are pre-paid vouchers that you can trade in for either one free serving of soft serve (chocolate or vanilla in a cone or cup with your choice of sprinkles) or a vegan icee. The vouchers can be used on Thursday June 13 between 2:00-4:00 PM. Kashrut note: Although the truck is not supervised, Mr. Softee ice cream mix, cones, and sprinkles have a hechsher.