Observing Shavuot with Beth Emeth and at Home

This article first appeared in our May/Jun '25 edition of The Bulletin

May and June is not only a time of celebration for graduates and confirmands, but it’s a time for the joyous Jewish celebration of Shavuot!

Shavuot will begin on Sunday evening, June 1 and end on Monday evening, June 2.

Shavuot, translating literally to “weeks” in English, is a grain festival that celebrates revelation and the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. In some communities, there’s a tradition of studying Torah all evening, all the way through the morning! While, for most of us, this is the amazing holiday where we get to eat all the dairy (sorry, lactose intolerant folks!). Let’s bring on the cheese blintzes!

How can I observe Shavuot with Beth Emeth?

Everyone is invited to our Erev Shabbat & Confirmation Service on Friday, May 30 at 5:30 pm to celebrate our confirmands and their dedication to lifelong learning, a theme of Shavuot.

Join for our Yizkor service on Sunday, June 1 at 7:00 pm as we come together to remember loved ones. If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one with a contribution to the Beautification Fund, you may do so online or by mailing a check to the temple office.

Children 0-5 and the grown ups that love them are invited to a CBE & Me: Shavuot and Closing on Wednesday, June 4, at 4:00 pm. Join us for some singing, play, and a fun craft!

What can I do at home?

Light candles at home on Sunday evening, June 1 using the following prayers:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ, בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצוָּנוּ
לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.

Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and calls upon us to kindle the lights of the Festival day.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Read the Book of Ruth: Often overlooked, this book represents an amazing story of love, conversion, and loyalty to the Jewish people. This story focuses on the journey of two women, Ruth and Naomi, representing the strength of all kinds of Jewish and Jewish-adjacent women. Not to mention, there are amazing new queer readings of this book focusing on the relationship between Ruth and Naomi! Great timing for Pride Month. You can find this text and more on Sefaria.org. Have questions? Reach out to our clergy team at Clergy@CBEAlbany.org.

Watch a cool video on the Book of Ruth: Don’t have time to read the whole book of Ruth? Check out this BimBam video for a musical adaptation of the messages of this important story.