Shavuot 5786 / 2026
Jump to Section:
Shavuot Schedule
Shavuot “Pre-Kun”: Wrestling and Embracing the Commandments
“First Fruits” Celebratory Aliyah for Parents of Newborns
Lunch & Discussion with Rachel Korazim
Family Picnic Potluck in Central Park
Book of Remembrance
“Binders of the Covenant” Exhibit Tour
Shavuot Schedule
Erev Shavuot: Thursday, May 21Shavuot “Pre-Kun”: Wrestling and Embracing the Commandments — 7:30 – 9:30pm on the Roof West Side Minyan Tikkun Leil Shavuot — 7:15pm on Zoom |
Shavuot Day 1: Friday, May 22Sanctuary Services — 9:45am in the Sanctuary Minyan M’at Services — 10am in 5 North TeleTefila Services — 10am on Zoom Combined Mishpacha/Yigdal Family Service — 11am in 2 North Lunch & Discussion: Natan Alterman’s Seventh Column with Rachel Korazim — After services in Hirsch Hall |
Shavuot Day 2: Saturday, May 23Sanctuary Services — 9:30am In-Person, Livestream, or on Zoom Minyan M’at Services — 10am in 5 North TeleTefila Services — 10am on Zoom Combined Mishpacha/Yigdal Family Service — 11am in 2 North Family Picnic Potluck in Central Park — 5:30 – 7pm at the Great Hill |
Shavuot “Pre-Kun”: Wrestling and Embracing the Commandments
Thursday, May 21 from 7:30 – 9:30pm on the Roof (Rain Location: 5 North)
As we have in previous years, Ansche Chesed will host an early evening study session at the shul, prior to the JCC Tikkun and other learning opportunities.
This year AC members and clergy will reflect on mitzvot we do and don’t yet do. We will reflect on mitzvot relating to business ethics, prayer and eating. How can actual normative practices in these areas bring our values and ideas into real life?
Walk-ins also welcome.
“First Fruits” Celebratory Aliyah for Parents of Newborns
First Day of Shavuot: Friday, May 22 around 10:30am
Every year on Shavuot — the holiday in which ancient Israelites brought bikkurim, the first fruits of their harvests, to the Temple in Jerusalem — AC invites parents of newborns to bring their babies for a celebratory group aliyah. You can come for the whole service, or just slip in for the aliyah around 10:30am. Email Rabbi Yael if you plan to participate or have any questions.
Lunch & Discussion: Natan Alterman’s Seventh Column with Rachel Korazim
First Day of Shavuot: Friday, May 22 after services (around 12:30pm) in Hirsch Hall
Join us after services for a discussion with Rachel Korazim, one of Israel’s and the Jewish People’s foremost teachers of Hebrew poetry. Ansche Chesed trips visited her in Tel Aviv in 2024 and 2025, and we studied with her in two online courses. She will be in New York for Shavuot and we are blessed to have her teach us on the holiday. She will present material from Natan Alterman’s weekly poetry column, which ran for 30 years in the newspaper, Davar. Although he died in 1970, Alterman remains an urgently important voice because he holds two truths simultaneously: a loving commitment to Israel and a clear call to correct its shortcomings.
Family Picnic Potluck with Jacob Kose
Saturday, May 23, 5:30 – 7pm in Central Park (Rain Location: Ansche Chesed)
Families, join us for a Picnic Potluck in Central Park to celebrate Shavuot! We will eat, play, and Jacob Kose will lead us in a Shavuot-related nature activity. Please bring a delicious kosher dairy or pareve picnic food, a blanket to sit on and sports equipment!
Book Of Remembrance
The Book of Remembrance lists those close to us who have passed away, but who have not been forgotten. This year we have created a virtual version of our Book of Remembrance that you can add names to throughout the year. You can view the Book of Remembrance here.
Submit names and make a donation here
“Binders of the Covenant” Exhibit Tour
Please join AC member Lois Roman for a guided tour of the “Binders of the Covenant” exhibit at the Walsh Library of Fordham University. Lois is also a Trustee of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, a London-based charity that looks after Judaica that survived the Shoah in Prague. “Binders of the Covenant” brings to life the story of Torah binders from the Memorial Scrolls Trust. The exhibit spotlights 25 historic binders that survived the Shoah and explores their significance for European Jewry, genealogy, and why they have relevance in today’s world.
