The weather outside is gorgeous, the flowers are blooming, and the Jewish holiday of Shavuot is right around the corner. Shavuot, or as it is more popularly known, “The Holiday When We Eat Cheesecake,” occurs seven weeks after Passover and is recognized as the anniversary of the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai.
We’ve put together a roundup of Shavuot events happening in your area, many of which celebrate BOTH cheesecake AND spring with picnics, flowers, and lots of dairy-filled yumminess. So bust out your calendars, book some extra sessions at the gym to counteract all of that calorie-filled dairy goodness, and start planning for some Shavuot fun!
Brooklyn
Shavuot Tot Shabbat
Learn about Shavuot from Sammy the Spider and then work together to build your own Mt. Sinai. Free.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, 405 81st St.
Friday, May 22, 5 – 6 p.m.
Shavuot Ice Cream Party
Listen to the reading of the Ten Commandments and enjoy some delicious ice cream. Free, for all ages.
Chabad of Flatbush, 1923 Ocean Ave.
Sunday, May 24, 5 p.m.
Manhattan
Shavuot Hike and Picnic
Join other families with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers for a family-friendly hike and dairy potluck picnic in Riverside Park organized by Congregation Ansche Chesed. Meet at the Fireman’s Memorial on 100th Street & Riverside Drive RSVP requested.
251 West 100th St. (corner of 100th & Riverside Drive), Upper West Side
Saturday, May 23, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Shavuot Children’s Services
Celebrate Shavuot with singing, dancing, and reading from the Torah. Bring a basket to decorate with flowers in celebration of the holiday.
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, 257 West 88th St., Upper West Side
Sunday, May 24, 10:45 a.m.
Shavuot Ice Cream Party
Indulge in your favorite frozen treat while the kids get to make their own Torahs. Free, for families with children ages 2 – 6. RSVP requested.
Sunday, May 24, 4:15 – 6:15 p.m.
Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun @ the Ramaz Middle School Roof, 114 E. 85th St., Upper East Side
Sundae on Sunday – Shavuot Dairy Buffet
Why limit your options when you can enjoy an entire dairy buffet and hear the Ten Commandments to boot. Free, RSVP required.
Chabad of the Lower East Side, 79 Rivington, between Orchard and Allen, Lower East Side
Sunday, May 24, 5 p.m.
Shavuot Ice Cream Picnic
Pack up a dairy picnic dinner and head on over to Pier 25 for music, games, ice cream sandwiches, and fun with the Jewish Community Project. Free, RSVP requested
Pier 25, 225 West St. @ North Moore, Downtown
Monday, May 25, 4 – 6 p.m.
Long Island
Shavuot Dairy Buffet & Children’s Service
Check out Chabad of East Hampton’s new summer children’s program, listen to the reading of the Ten Commandments, and enjoy a dairy lunch buffet. Free.
Chabad of East Hampton, 13 Woods Ln. East Hampton, NY
Sunday, May 24, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Celebrate Shavuot in Your PJ’s!
Wear your favorite pajama’s and celebrate Shavuot with PJ Library stories and songs. Free, for children ages 8 and under, RSVP requested.
Congregation Beth Emeth/Central Synagogue of Nassau County, 430 DeMot Ave., Rockville Centre
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Westchester
JLiFE Shavuot – Flowers, Food, & Fun!
Plant flowers, listen to a PJ Library story, and enjoy a hot dairy dinner, salad, and ice cream. For kindergarten-aged children and younger and their families. RSVP required.
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Ave., New Rochelle
Thursday, May 21, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
