On Shavuot, Jewish people celebrate the giving of the Torah with an ancient and joyful tradition: staying up into the night to learn together, honoring the idea that Jewish wisdom is alive, renewable, and belongs to all of us. Whether you are a lifelong scholar or brand new to the Jewish tradition of learning, this gathering is designed for everyone.

Join us for an evening—and night—of community, celebration, and learning centered on a powerful question: What does it actually take to build and sustain a holy community? We'll shine a light on the quiet, often invisible work of chased—loving-kindness—that holds our community together: the people who deliver meals, visit the sick, comfort mourners, and show up for each other in ways big and small. This work is often thankless. We want to change that.

What does it actually take to build and sustain a holy community? This opening panel explores the quiet, often invisible labor of chessed — communal care — that holds our community together: the people who deliver meals, visit the sick, accompany the dying, comfort mourners, and show up for one another in ways big and small. This work is often thankless. Tonight, we want to change that.

• In the first half, Rabbi Jacob Chatinover (Bonai Shalom) moderates a conversation with clergy and communal professionals — Rabbi Fred Greene (Har HaShem), Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein (Nevei Kodesh), Jonathan Lev (Boulder JCC), and Miche Bacher (Jewish Family Service of Boulder) — exploring the spiritual foundations and communal structures that make this care possible.

• In the second half, we hear directly from the lay leaders and volunteers who do this work every day, often behind the scenes: Janet Lowe (Boulder Chevra Kadisha / Jewish End of Life Ritual Care), Caron Robinson (Bonai Shalom), Alyce Kitt (Har HaShem), and Elizabeth Otto (Nevei Kodesh). What calls them to this work? What sustains them — and what does it cost them? What do they need from the rest of us? Come ready to listen, to express gratitude, and to ask yourself: what is my role in holding this community together?

No prior knowledge required—just a willingness to show up. We request that you register prior to this event to ensure enough space and materials are provided.

Presented by Haver: Boulder Council of Rabbis and Cantors and the Boulder JCC.

Event Timeline

5:30 - 6 pm: Family Programming (Ice Cream Making)
6 - 6:50 pm: Kids Drop-Off Programming - "4 & Under", "5 & Up"
6 - 6:50 pm: First Session (Multiple Options to Choose From)
7 - 8 pm: Plenary Session with Jewish Professionals, Clergy, and Volunteers Discuss "Building Holy Community — The Work of Chesed (acts of loving-kindness)"
7 - 8 pm: Kids Drop-Off Programming - "4 & Under", "5 & Up"
8 - 8:15 pm: Candle Lighting and Transition to Sessions
8:20 - 9:10 pm: Second Session (Multiple Options to Choose From)
9:15 - 9:45 pm: Kiddish, Cheesecake, Nosh, Coffee & Tea, & Maariv
10 - 10:50 pm: Third Session (Multiple Options to Choose From)
11 - 11:50 pm: Fourth Session (Multiple Options to Choose From)
11:50 pm - 12:10 am: Transition to Bonai Shalom

Session Options

Session 1 Options

• Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder - "Revelation Through Creation: Making Art as a Sacred Community" 
  On Shavuot, we open to the revelation that wants to come to and through us, inviting the creative process to help us receive insights and wisdom. We remember that the entire people of Israel stood together at Sinai, not as individuals, but as a community. This workshop asks: what makes a community holy? And how does the act of making together in a studio, side by side, become its own answer? We will bring text study and art making together in a facilitated way. All materials will be provided.  No artistic experience needed, just your openness and curiosity!  
• Morah Yehudis Fishman - "The Mystical Roots of Holy Community"
  There are obvious qualities that help a community thrive: caring, kindness, charity, compassion, assistance etc. But there are also invisible factors that the most powerful winds and challenges cannot weaken. Have you ever thought about how the most earth bound aspects of life are grounded in the most invisible and visionary origins of existence? Come and hear some mind-blowing concepts that confirm an apparently counter intuitive claim as to why ‘An activist must be a mystic.’ Are you ready for ideas that can be a game-changer for your consciousness?
• Roxanne Bailin - "Jewish History of Boulder 1870 to 1920"
  In the late 19th century, Boulder residents shopped at four downtown department stores, all of which were owned by Jewish merchants. Learn about this and other fascinating, forgotten facts about Boulder’s early Jewish history from the late 1800s to the early decades of the 20th century.

Session 2 Options

• Reb Charna - "Character, Community, and a Moral Life, based on Pirkei Avot"
  In this class we will study Chapter 2 of Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers) as a guide to moral life and community building. Through key teachings on integrity, relationship, responsibility, and speech, we will ask what kind of people a healthy community requires, and what shared norms can help sustain dignity, trust, and accountability today.
• Becca Gan Levy - "Food and Agricultural Traditions of Shavuot"
  Explore the indigenous agricultural roots of the land of Israel focusing on Shavuot and the other pilgrimage holidays. Farmer Becca Gan Levy will guide you through the ancient traditions of the Bikkurim (First Fruits), peah, and other agricultural laws. We'll discuss what these ancient traditions teach us about sustainability, gratitude, and justice today. 
• Sarah Nowak - "Putting the 'Community' in 'Community Theater': Theater as an Instrument of Jewish Community-Building"
  Sociological research tells us that introducing a common goal is an extremely powerful way to facilitate group bonding and create community. Together we'll examine how the process of preparing a theater performance, like this past winter's Fiddler on the Roof, creates a pathway for building a Jewish community among like-minded artists, even those from very different backgrounds. Members of the cast will share their experiences and reflections. Working together toward a common goal creates bonds within a group of people, and when those people are like-minded folks with Jewish values, those bonds can be even stronger.
• Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein & Rabbinic Pastor Nalini Indorf Kaplan - "Shiva DO's and DON'Ts: Showing Up for Mourners"
  Shiva - The Jewish tradition where love, food, prayers, and sometimes awkwardness collide. In this session, Rabbi Diane and rabbinic Pastor Nalini will explore do's and don'ts of comforting mourners: from what to bring, to what not to blurt out the second you walk in. Whether you are a shiva veteran or a first-timer, you will leave with practical tools and a lot less anxiety. Come ready to laugh, learn, and maybe rethink everything you thought you knew, because when someone you care for is grieving, showing up well is the greatest gift you can offer them.
• Mitten Lowe and Jenna Zedaka - "The Art of Receiving"
  In this month of receiving the Torah, we explore the many textures of receiving wisdom in our bodies. To truly receive, our Sages teach that we must become hefker—“ownerless”—like the desert wilderness: releasing attachments, frames of reference, and preconceived notions. Through emptying, we create the spaciousness to receive abundance.In this session, we’ll explore: Where in our bodies do we feel open to receiving—and where are our edges? What would it feel like to truly receive what we most desire?

Session 3 Options

• Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein - "Being the Ugly Man in a Holy Community"
  As individuals who choose to connect with a Kehelah Kedosha, a holy community, it can be a challenge to balance our own insecurities with the communities needs. We often feel as if we stand out, and everyone is judging us. The rabbis of the Talmud understood this. Together, we will explore a story that brings together ugly men and the power of oak trees.
• Rabbi Marc Soloway - "HaOskim b'Tzorchei Tzibbur - Praying for Those Who Serve Their Communities"
  There are many versions of prayers that are specifically for communities and those who serve in the communities. We will explore some of them together and get to the heart and intention of these words.
• Rabbi Steve Chatinover - "Visiting the Sick and Comforting Mourners - How Do We Go 'Beyond Ourselves' to Build Community?"
  Each of us, to some extent, is afraid of death and unsettled by sickness. We will examine sources on nichum aveilim (comforting mourners) and bikkur cholim (visiting the sick), with an eye as to how our practices both build community and push us out of our comfort zone. Please bring your questions, and be willing to share personal experiences (if you feel comfortable).

Session 4 Options

• Rabbi Fred Green - "Those Who Are Not Here With Us Today: Sinai, Belonging, and the Work of Holy Community"
  The Book of Deuteronomy tells us the covenant at Sinai was made not only with those who stood at the mountain, but with every generation that would follow — which means every one of us already belongs. But belonging as a theological idea and belonging as a lived experience are not the same thing, and the gap between them is where community is either built or lost. We will study ancient and rabbinic texts alongside the very real work of those in our congregation who bridge that gap every day through acts of care and presence.
• Rabbi Sara Bracha Gershuny and Rav Jacob Chatinover - "Each One Teach One: A Dynamic Community Learning Experiment" 

  Welcoming travellers? Burying the dead? Conflict resolution? Bringing joy to a wedding? Which is YOUR favorite mitzvah? In this collaborative community learning experiment, you'll have the opportunity to select amongst these practices (and a few others), dive deeper into it through text in paired partner learning (havruta), and then share your insights, questions, and realizations. 

Thursday, May 21 | 5:30 pm - 11:30 PM | FREE

Register Here