TUES | MAY 30
AISH L.A.
Enjoy a meal and learn from top speakers in the Aish L.A. community at a Shavuot All-Nighter Learnathon that has drawn about 500 young professionals in previous years. For every hour of learning, students get a raffle ticket that enters them in a drawing for a bike, tablet computer, acupuncture and more. 10:45 p.m. Monetary dedications accepted to help cover the event. Morry’s Fireplace, 9118 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 278-8672. aishla.com.
ATID
Atid, a community of young professionals at Sinai Temple, will present the Reboot organization’s “Unscrolled: A New Spin on Shavuot,” in which participants ages 21 to 39 will delve into the Torah in a fresh and innovative way. During “Unscrolled,” you will be able to reimagine the ancient texts as actors bring unique versions of the parshiyot to life. After the performances, Rabbi David Wolpe and Rabbi Jason Fruithandler of Sinai Temple will lead discussions. Shavuot-inspired desserts and drinks will be served. 7:30 p.m. Free. RSVP at eventbrite.com. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. sinaitemple.org.
BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM
Join the Beth Chayim Chadashim community in observance of Shavuot. A brief Yizkor service will be followed by a dairy meal — a Shavuot tradition — with vegan and gluten-free options, and a presentation of “Cheeses: The World Tour,” curated by Bruce Weil. The event also will include two workshops: “Easy Acts of Resistance,” led by Melissa Minkin and Shifra Teitelbaum, and the “StoryLines Project Workshop,” led by Bonnie Kaplan. In the Resistance workshop, participants will reflect on their individual thoughts about and responses to the Jewish call to action. The StoryLines Project will help participants find the words, thoughts and memories needed to write their personal stories. Each StoryLine participant also will inscribe their own copper strip and add it to the art piece woven into the bimah. 6 p.m. Free. Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6090 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-7023. bcc-la.org.
BETH JACOB CONGREGATION
Join Beth Jacob Congregation’s scholar-in-residence, Rabbi Moshe Taragin, as he discusses “Shema: A Constitution and an Anthem of Jewish History” and “The Five Most Pivotal Moments in the History of the Torah.” Other discussions, held after midnight, will be led by Rabbis Boruch Sufrin, Yagil Tsaidi, Adir Posy and Kalman Topp. 11 p.m. Free. Beth Jacob Congregation, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 278-1911. bethjacob.org. Visit the website for information about Shavuot events on May 31 and June 1.
CHEESECAKE BAKE-OFF
Participate in a night of Torah study and eat your fill of cheesecake at the Shavuot Cheesecake Bake-Off. A panel of cheesecake aficionados will choose the best cheesecake, and then there will be a festival candlelighting and Shavuot meditations. Discussion topics include “A Meeting of Minds Potpourri: Shavuot, Beatles, Einstein and Cosmic Consciousness,” led by Rabbi Norbert Weinberg, and “Nitzevet: The Untold Story of King David’s Mother,” led by Rabbi Steve Rosenberg. Bring canned or boxed foods from your pantry or hygiene and toiletry supplies to contribute to those in need. 7 p.m. Free. Hollywood Temple Beth El, 1317 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 656-3150. htbel.org.
TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT AT VALLEY BETH SHALOM
Seven Los Angeles-area congregations are coming together to observe Tikkun leil Shavuot with the community and eat blintzes. The topic will be refugees, immigration and Jewish responsibility, featuring speaker Mark Hetfield, the national president of HIAS (formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). There will be text study with a dozen rabbis, including Morley Feinstein (University Synagogue), Ed Feinstein (Valley Beth Shalom), Noah Farkas (Valley Beth Shalom), Ron Stern (Stephen Wise Temple), Eleanor Steinman (Temple Beth Hillel) and David Woznica (Stephen Wise Temple). Synagogues include Valley Beth Shalom, Adat Ari El, Stephen Wise, Kol Ami, University Synagogue, Temple Isaiah and Temple Beth Hillel. Concludes with a late-night study session with the various rabbis at 10:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. vbs.org.
NESSAH SYNAGOGUE
Join the 10th Shavuot All-Night Learning event featuring speaker Rabbi Mendel Kessin. The rabbi will discuss “The Nature of God: Torah’s Authenticity in Question,” “Current World Events: Are We Close to the End?” and “Is Torah Relevant in Our Modern Life?” Breakfast will be served after the early morning Shacharit. 11:15 p.m. Free. Nessah Synagogue, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-2400. nessah.org.
SHAVUOT STREET CRAWL
Feel at home with a night of Shavuot house-hopping. Rabbis Sharon Brous, Ronit Tsadok, Nate DeGroot and Brad Artson will lead late-night learning as participants go from house to house and enjoy dairy treats for Shavuot. Starting at the home of Wendy and Ivan Light for soup, followed by the home of Deborah Musher and Rabbi Joe Menashe, and finally Deborah Schmidt and Rabbi Avi Havivi. Email marnina@ikar-la.org if you’d like to help setting up, cleaning up or schmoozing it up. 8 p.m. Free. RSVP at eventbrite.com. Addresses provided upon RSVP. ikar-la.org.
SHOMREI TORAH SYNAGOGUE AND TEMPLE ALIYAH
Shomrei Torah and Temple Aliyah invite you for Shavuot and an evening of discussion and Jewish learning. Start the night with a service, followed by the opening session: “Cultivating Intimacy Through Difficult Conversations — A Practicum.” Then discuss “Jewish Sources on Holy Conflict ‘Machloket L’Sheym Shamayim’ ” and breakout sessions delving into such topics as gun control, marijuana and immigration. There will be dessert and a closing session on “Plural Unity.” 7:30 p.m. Free. Shomrei Torah Synagogue, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. templealiyah.org.
SINAI TEMPLE
Enjoy some traditional Shavuot ice cream while learning from Rabbi David Wolpe. 8 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1518. sinaitemple.org.
TEMPLE AHAVAT SHALOM AND TEMPLE RAMAT ZION
Engage in a nighttime Torah study among the congregants of Northridge’s Temple Ramat Zion and Temple Ahavat Shalom. The event will be held at Temple Ramat Zion, with discussion led by Rabbi Ahud Sela, Rabbi Barry Lutz and other clergy. Sushi, ice cream and cheesecake will be served. 8 p.m. Free. Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. trz.org. RSVP appreciated, to Temple Ahavat Shalom: (818) 360-2258; tasnorthridge.org.
TEMPLE BETH AM
Join “Kol HaKolot: Hear All Our Voices” in observance of Erev Shavuot. Spend the whole night learning and engaging, concluding with a 4:45 a.m. sunrise Shacharit. 7:30 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org/prayer/shavuot
TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM: “SIX-DAY WAR THEN & NOW”
Join a special night of Torah study focusing on “The Six-Day War Then & Now: Reflections on a Great Military Victory — 50 Years Later.” Benjamin Radd will discuss what enabled the Israeli military to overcome its enemies and and bring about the reunification of Jerusalem. Featuring music, blintzes and other Shavuot delicacies. 7:30 p.m. Free. Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (626) 773-0251. templeetzchaim.org. Services at 10 a.m. on May 31 and June 1.
TEMPLE KOL TIKVAH
Celebrate the “Receiving of the Torah” at Kol Tikvah with a Yizkor service led by Rabbi Jon Hanish and Cantor Noa Shaashua to honor the memories of your loved ones. After the service, teens and adults will have dinner and take part in learning with the clergy. 5:15 p.m. Yizkor service. 6 p.m. dinner and learning. Free. RSVP required for dinner: (818) 348-0670, ext. 200, or dshayer@koltikvah.org. Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670. koltikvah.org.
WED | MAY 31
CHABAD OF CHEVIOT HILLS
Enjoy a delicious ice cream party and dairy buffet to celebrate Shavuot. You also will get to experience the story of Shavuot — when the Torah was given to the Jewish people. 11:30 a.m. Free. Chabad of Cheviot Hills, 3185 Motor Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 220-0514. chabadofcheviothills.com.
