Sharing Notes: Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Jerusalem

It's less than 24 hours before Shavuot, and I still haven't decided where I'm going to learn tomorrow night. The idea is to stay up all night learning in preparation for receiving the Torah all over again. But since the idea is also to understand the learning, I think I'm best off trying to find something that's mostly in English. Also, would like to join the hordes walking to the Kotel after the learning at 4AM, so I don't want anything too far in the other direction.

So I'm doing some internet searching...and thought I'd share with you, in case others in Jerusalem need similar help...

The Hartman Institute: Not far from the German Colony's main drag. A few early sessions in English, but most in Hebrew. The sessions aren't grabbing me, either.
Merkaz Hamagshimim: Also in the German Colony, so it's close. Some English, some body movement, separate for men and women. Interesting...but I'd have to be in the right mood for it.
The Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism (at Moreshet Yisrael Synagogue, 4 Agron Street): A bit more of a walk, but on the way to the Kotel. All in English, but mostly male lecturers. Would have liked to see more women lecturing in the Conservative Center...
Pardes: A walk, in the opposite direction of the Kotel and also in the opposite direction of where my family is (where my dinner was supposed to be). I don't mind the walk, but don't want to miss dinner or the lecture. Pardes snagged one of the biggest headliners, Avivah Zornberg, for their Tikkun. Here's their whole program (beginning with Zornberg's class): 11:00PM, "The Unknown Woman: Becoming Ruth;" 12:45 AM David Levin-Kruss "The 10 Commandments Revisited;" 1:45 AM Jon Kelson and Yaffa Epstein "A Compelling Torah: Theological and Halakhic Perspectives;" 3 to 4:15 AM Daniel Landes "Can Conversions be Revoked?"

A Facebook friend sent me a link to this list, which gives programs not just in Jerusalem but in surrounding areas like Efrat and Bat Ayin.

It's great that there are so many choices. But I wish that my peers--so busy with Jewish leadership programs, conference planning and, some of them, wedding plans--had managed to pull together some more peer-level learning. I always enjoy that so much more than listening to rabbis and PhDs.

OK. Will sleep on it and make a decision. Chag sameach from Jerusalem...

Comments

[Rebecca]

Hi - just found your blog and really love it! I also can't decide which shavuot learning to go to. I saw that Shir Hadash is having learning at Rabbi Pear's house, but Rabbi Pear himself isn't speaking until 3am. I always love his talks. But no women speaking in that venue either. Here's the link to Janglo: http://www.janglo.net/index.php/2008060667613/events-shir-hadash-s-tikun-leil

[Alan Abbey]

Did you get to Hartman? I heard great reviews. But I'm biased (I work at the Institute, and my wife went to hear David Hartman speak). Thanks for the link - you sent us traffic.