Shavuot

Shavuot is the holiday honoring God giving the Torah to the Hebrews, creating the Jewish people with a new covenant when they accepted it. It is one of the three festivals on which Jews traditionally made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Shavuot, which means weeks, occurs seven weeks after the first Passover Seder. 

It is traditional to hold study sessions late into the night for Shavuot. Temple B’nai Abraham and Temple Beth Shalom are joining together for an evening of online study from 9 PM to 12 AM on Tuesday, June 11.

Our 9 PM opening session will be with guest speaker culinary historian Avery Robinson.

Coffee Talk: Understanding Jewish History and Culture through Drink will discuss how Jewish coffee consumption has changed and strengthened Jewish ritual life in the past 500 years. This talk will trace the evolution of Jewish coffee consumption from its 16th c. debut as “the wine of Islam” to its unexpected connection with your Passover seder and why it ought to be the most important Shavuot food. We will travel around the Jewish Diaspora, from Egypt to Israel, Italy, Turkey, Central Europe, and America, to learn more about Jewish life and rituals through Jewish coffee cultures. This talk is best paired with your favorite cuppa.

Avery Robinson is a culinary historian who has written over 100 pages on kugel, baked challah for 300+ on an open fire, and worked in bakeries in Tel Aviv and New York City. Avery co-founded Rye Revival, a nonprofit promoting rye as a climate change mitigation strategy, and co-owner of Black Rooster Food, which makes 100% rye sourdough bread. His day job is in Jewish philanthropy.

Cantor Perry Fine will lead the 10 PM session, and Rabbi Max Edwards will lead the 11 PM session. The Zoom link will be sent via email.