From Dusk To Dawn Area congregations host all-night Torah study sessions on Shavuot. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN Staff Writer T he custom of Tikkun Leil Shavuot, all-night Torah study on the holiday of Shavuot, has become an annual occurrence in many Detroit- area synagogues. Shavuot, this year beginning Thursday evening, May 16, com- memorates the Jews receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai; Tikkun Leil Shavuot honors that gift with Torah study. The words tikkun (repair) and leil (entire night) refer to Rabbi Hal study sessions Greenwald held to "make up" for those who fell asleep waiting for the Torah at Mount Sinai and had to be awak- ened by God to witness the revela- tion. Because the giving of the Torah is likened to the wedding of the Jewish people and the Torah, the night's study is considered a preparation for that marriage. It also emphasizes a readiness to receive the Torah. While tikkun once was devoted to Torah study alone, many synagogues now focus on specific study topics. These range from music and liturgy to Jewish history and Israel. Congregation Shir Tikvah will host "Shavuot Overnight," a service and celebration blending Jewish learning, music and meditation. Congregation B'nai Moshe calls its tikkun "A Celebration of Lifelong Jewish Learning." The leader will be Rabbi Hal Greenwald, director of education of the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. The evening will include a recognition for adult members of the synagogue who demonstrate commitment to regular Jewish study. In various synagogues, tikkun leaders will range from rabbis and educators to lay persons and even youth. In many congregations, the all- night study is concluded with Shacharit (morning service). In some synagogues, such as Congregation Shaarey Zedek, the prayer service is held outside. "There's something attractive about the idea of sitting down and studying at night, when the world is asleep," says Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov, of The Shul/Chabad Lubavitch, where there will be all-night study this year. "It's a time when you have noth- ing on your mind and can focus on the Torah and the day the Torah was given to us," he says. "Devoting time at night to Torah stud), has a spiritu- al quality." ❑ 5/10 2002 52 Congregation B'nai Moshe will cele- brate the first night of Shavuot with a Torah study session for adults called "Tikun Leil Shavuot," as a symbolic re- enactment of the revelation at Mount Sinai, 7:30 . p.m. Thursday, May 16. Rabbi Hal Greenwald, director of education for the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, will be the guest teacher for this adult learning event. All are welcome. The program will begin with a prayer service, followed at 8 p.m. by a light dessert reception and recognition of those adult learners participating in life- long Jewish learning programs at B'nai Moshe and in the community. One of them is the Florence Melton Adult Spend Shavuot At Adat Shalom Adults and teenagers are invited to Adat Shalom Synagogue's annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16. The program will begin with festival services. Following a light supper, participants will be involved with the tikkun, which will run until midnight. The tikkun developed out of the Jewish passion for learning Torah. This year's tikkun will include several discussions. Rabbi Daniel Nevins will Mini-School of Metro Detroit, of which Rabbi Greenwald is co-director. Rabbi Greenwald's Torah study ses- sion, tided "Meeting God in the Text: The Joy and Challenge of Lifelong Jewish Learning," will begin at 8:30 p.m. and run until about 10. - In addition, B'nai Moshe will hold Shavuot morning services beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 17, and on Shabbat, May 18. Following services on Friday, there will be a special light lunch and dessert reception. Reservations for the May 17 lunch are requested by Monday, May 13. There is a mitzvah donation for lunch of $6.13 per person. This year's Shavuot program is being coordinated by West Bloomfield resi- dents Anne Rottman and Nancy Kaplan. present a talk titled "The Etz Chaym Chumash: Torah From Sinai?" Rabbi Herbert Yoskowitz will talk about "The Ideal Mother-in-Law: A Study of Naomi." Participants will hear Cantor Howard Glantz' "Notes From the Cantor." Cantor Larry Vieder will discuss "The Origins of Akdamut, the Special Hymn for Shavuot." Elissa • Berg, director of education and youth, will present "Angels in the Infield." Dessert and other refreshments will be served throughout the evening. There is no charge. For reservations, call Sheila Lederman, (248) 851- 5100. For information on local Tikkun Leil Shavuot programs, contact individual synagogues (see JN Synagogue listings). Beth Ahm Holds Graduation The Natalie and Manny Charach Religious School of Congregation Beth Ahm will have its graduation on Sunday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m. Graduates are Stephanie B'nai Moshe Marks Shavuot Eisenberg, Keri Kahn, Adam Mosseri, Aaron Poris, Samantha Roby, Scott Schwartz, Hayley Sitron, Michael Sondheimer, Shelby Wallach and Samantha Warsh. Rite Of Passage Ten women of Adat Shalom Synagogue will become bat mitzvah 9 a.m. Friday, May 17, at Shavuot services. The b'not mitzvah are Susan Shacket, Debbie Lederman, Helayne Kaplan, Lisa Shiffm an, Norma Dorman, Gail Fisher, Lillian Schost.ak, Karen Lewis, Linda Warner and Cheryl Margolis.