Join Kehillah for an evening of learning, creativity, conversation, and community as we mark Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, the tradition of staying up to study on the first night of Shavuot. Rooted in the joy and seriousness of receiving Torah, Tikkun Leyl Shavuot is a chance to gather with others, wrestle with ideas, hear new perspectives, and celebrate Jewish learning in all its richness. As ever at Kehillah, the evening will be thoughtful, participatory, and welcoming, with space for curiosity, questions, and connection.

Award winning writer Nick Cassenbaum will share methods from his own creative processes for writing his Fringe First winning, sellout (!) show. Nick will share how he uses humour to find the joy in sometimes difficult subjects, to build bridges and connect communities across division. He will use these processes to guide participants in creating their own stories that focus on moments/places in their personal histories where there may be discord, tension or conflict. Using local references and rhythms, participants may reflect on their family history, or the history of their surroundings and how they have ended up where they are, and who they are today. Participants will leave having written and shared their own stories - injected with Jewish joy and playfulness - about their local area and family history.

We’ll also be joined by Tamara Micner for a text-based session exploring what the Mishne says about Shvues/Shavuot. Together, participants will read and discuss the original text alongside English translation and Yiddish translation with commentary, opening up questions about how this festival has been understood across languages, traditions, and generations. Tamara’s session will offer a chance to learn closely, think together, and encounter Shavuot through the texture of the text itself.

More sessions will be announced soon.