Shavuot, which celebrates the receiving of the Ten Commandments and Torah at Mount Sinai, is perhaps the gastronomically richest Jewish holiday. Eating dairy in many forms — from cheesecake to cheese blintzes to cheese burekas — is a traditional way to mark the holiday, which begins at sundown on Thursday, May 21.
The holiday also has agricultural roots tied to the wheat harvest and is one of the three holidays in ancient Israel that required Jews to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer produce and grains. Shavuot is also known as the Feast of Weeks, marking the end of the counting of the Omer and the seven weeks since Passover.
Jewish congregations and groups across the Bay Area fill the holiday with dairy-laden treats, crafts workshops, late-night or even all-night study sessions (known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot) and sunrise religious services.
Is your organization hosting an event for Shavuot? Let us know at [email protected] or fill out our “submit an event” form.
Sunday | May 17
“Baskets and Bikkurim”—Prepare for Shavuot with this pine needle basket-weaving workshop for young adults (21-36) to hold bikkurim (offerings). At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 2-6 p.m. Sliding scale, $15-$25.
Family Shavuot Celebration—Hebrew story time, hands-on cooking, art and water activities and snacks for kids ages 3-8 and their families. Presented by Jewish Silicon Valley with Yavneh Day School, PJ Library and others. At Yavneh Day School, 14855 Oka Road, Suite 100, Los Gatos. 4-5:30 p.m. Free.
Thursday | May 21
“Ascending the Mountain: A Tikkun Leil Shavuot”—Celebrate Shavuot with Or Shalom Jewish Community and Kehilla Community Synagogue. Event opens with a sunset ritual on San Francisco’s Bernal Hill. All-night study sessions follow at Or Shalom. It concludes with a sunrise return to Bernal Hill. At Bernal Hill, Bernal Heights Boulevard and Anderson Street, and Or Shalom, 331 Cortland Ave., S.F. 7 p.m.-6:30 a.m. Free.
Shavuot Ice Cream Social — Relax poolside with free ice cream from Mister Softee. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 3-6 p.m. Free.
“Shavuot Together: An Evening of Learning & Celebration”—Learn the history of Jewish peoplehood. Plus dairy treats. At Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 5:45-10 p.m. Free.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot—Lecture by Rabbi Joshua Ladon of the Shalom Hartman Institute followed by study sessions and music. Presented by Congregation Beth Sholom and JCCSF with Brandeis School of S.F. and five other congregations. At Beth Sholom, 301 14th Ave., S.F. 5:30-11 p.m. Family program and pizza dinner, $8 per person. Lecture and study sessions, free.
Friday | May 22
“Pilgrimage: Tikkun Leil Shavuot”—Chochmat HaLev and LABA Bay Area’s all-night Shavuot celebration includes study sessions, singing and storytelling around a fire, music and dance, led by Rabbi Zvika Krieger, LABA fellows and others. 6 p.m. At Chochmat, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 6 p.m.-6 a.m. $36-$102.
Shavuot Cheese Tasting and Paper Art—Learn paper quilling (paper coiling) in this workshop. Cheese snacks provided. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 4-5:15 p.m. $22.
Shavuot Festival and Shabbat—Celebrate with face painting, flower-crown making, dairy treats and dinner, nighttime learning sessions. Childcare available during service. Register by May 19. Hosted by Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Virtual option. 5-11 p.m. $12-$36.
Saturday | May 23
Shavuot Bookfest—Tri-Valley Cultural Jews invites participants of all ages to share something meaningful, whether it’s a book they’ve loved, an idea they’ve explored or a project they’ve created. Followed by Tri-Valley Cultural Jews meeting. Lunch provided. Bring a dessert to share. At Castro Valley location provided with registration. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. RSVP at [email protected] or (925) 399-8029.