Shavuot is one of the most meaningful and spiritually rich holidays in Jewish tradition, commemorating the giving of the Torah.  One tradition to celebrate the holiday is through study, reflection, and gathering together in celebration. This year, the Boulder Jewish community will continue that tradition with a “Night of Jewish Learning” taking place on May 21, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. This program is presented in partnership by Haver: Boulder Council of Rabbis and Cantors and the Boulder JCC.  Participants of all backgrounds will come together for a powerful night of learning, connection, community-building and cheesecake.

A Tikkun Leil Shavuot, the tradition of staying awake late into the night to study Torah and engage in meaningful discussion. Whether someone has spent years studying Jewish texts or is attending their very first Jewish learning event, the evening is intentionally designed to be welcoming and inclusive.

This year’s gathering centers around an especially timely and meaningful question: What does it truly take to build and sustain a holy community?  This will be the topic of the panel discussion with clergy, Jewish professionals and volunteers. That panel will begin at 7 pm. 

In addition to a panel program, where everyone will come together. There are close to 15 other class options for participants to enjoy. The evening is open to all participants, regardless of prior Jewish knowledge or experience. No background in Torah study or Jewish tradition is required. 

• Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder "Revelation Through Creation: Making Art as a Sacred Community" 5:30 pm -6:50 pm 
• Morah Yehudis Fishman "The Mystical Roots of Holy Community" 6:00-6:50 pm
• Roxanne Bailin  "Jewish History of Boulder 1870 to 1920" 6:00-6:50 pm

Session 2 8:20 - 9:10 pm

• Reb Charna - "Character, Community, and a Moral Life, based on Pirkei Avot"
• Farmer Becca Gan Levy - "Food and Agricultural Traditions of Shavuot"
• Sarah Nowak - "Putting the 'Community' in 'Community Theater': Theater as an Instrument of Jewish Community-Building"
• Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein & Rabbinic Pastor Nalini Indorf Kaplan - "Shiva DO's and DON'Ts: Showing Up for Mourners"
• Mitten Lowe and Jenna Zedaka - "The Art of Receiving"

Session 3 10 - 10:50 pm 

• Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein - "Being the Ugly Man in a Holy Community"
• Rabbi Marc Soloway - "HaOskim b'Tzorchei Tzibbur - Praying for Those Who Serve Their Communities"
• Rabbi Steve Chatinover - "Visiting the Sick and Comforting Mourners - How Do We Go 'Beyond Ourselves' to Build Community?"

Session 4 11 - 11:50 pm 

• Rabbi Fred Green - "Those Who Are Not Here With Us Today: Sinai, Belonging, and the Work of Holy Community"
• Rabbi Sara Bracha Gershuny and Rav Jacob Chatinover - "Each One Teach One: A Dynamic Community Learning Experiment" 

We encourage advance registration to help ensure adequate space, cheesecake and learning materials for all participants  https://www.boulderjcc.org/events/2026/05/21/boulder-jcc-programs/community-celebrations-a-night-of-jewish-learning/