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CLAL NATIONAL UNITY SHAVUOT -- 5761

By Judy Epstein, Director of Public Affairs

This year marks CLAL's third annual National Unity Shavuot program. In honor of the holiday, communities all around the country are offering a variety of pluralist programs through their synagogues, and have posted their events with CLAL as a central clearinghouse. The site, www.shavuot.org., also offers CLAL's on line study guide and resource material.

"This year the program has really taken on a life of its own," said Rabbi Daniel Brenner, Director of CLAL's National Jewish Resource Center and supervisor of the program. "When we began, CLAL convened many of the events and had a very hands-on role in bringing rabbis from different denominations together. But communities were so excited to get involved, our role shifted to that of a central resource center. By clicking on the CLAL Shavuot Web site, people can see the myriad of programs planned, download a planning guide, and access texts and more. For many communities a Shavuot event may be the only such program where they come together across denominational lines in the course of the year."

Some of the programs Rabbi Brenner noted in particular were in Baltimore, where the theme is on Judaism and Disabilities, and in Denver, where the program will have both traditional and egalitarian services, and joint study of the Ten Commandments. Close to ten communities have listed events on the site.

The Shavuot Web site has become one of CLAL's most popular resources to date. Last year alone, the site was visited by thousands of interested participants and rabbis across the country. This year, with updates posted by Rabbi Brenner, the prediction is for an even greater number