Learning all night long

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
No one should deprive him or herself the mitzva of all-night Shavuot learning now that there are options that cater to every taste. For English-speakers, the leading luminary on the biblical interpretation circuit - Avivah Zornberg - will be leading the line-up of Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies lecturers, starting at 11 p.m. tonight. Judy Klitzner takes over at 12:45 a.m., and Daniel Roth will finish off the last lap of the learning session from 2:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. The address is 29 Pierre Koenig, and details are at www.pardes.org.il. Ta Shma and Merkaz Hamagshimim join forces once again for their seventh annual multi-denominational learning under the stars, with educators Chananel Rosen, Dina Pinner, Hannah Estrin, Julian Sinclair, Ophir Yarden and Yaffa Epstein. The place is the Merkaz roof at Dor Dor v'Dorshav 7a in Jerusalem's German Colony; the time is 10 p.m. through 3:30 a.m. Details at (02) 621-6168 or 561-9165, ext. 204. Refreshments will be served. A Carlebach learning session will take place in Nahlaot in the bomb shelter under the park on Beersheva St., while Conservative sessions will take place at 11 congregations scattered throughout Jerusalem. For details, call (02) 624-6510. A Reform session will be held at Beit Shmuel on Rehov David Hamelech 13 and will present a varied program, in Hebrew, beginning with a dance performance at 10 p.m. inspired by the Book of Ruth. The dance will be followed by writer Efraim Sidon giving a talk on "Humor in the Bible," which will be backed by a video and slide presentation. Beit Daniel, the main Reform synagogue in Tel Aviv, also features performances in its creative learning night, which begins at 9:30 p.m. and concludes at dawn. Call 050-774-6100 for information. The secular Hochmat Halev organization of Ramat Hasharon will be holding a Tikkun Shavuot of all-night learning, starting at 9:30 p.m. Back in Jerusalem, two unusual venues for Shavuot learning tonight are the Tower of David Museum and the Khan Theater. At the former, the night of lectures and tours begin at 10:30; at the latter, a varied array of personalities - including journalist/actor Jacki Levi - will lead simultaneous study sessions in the theater compound's different spaces. There will be holiday-linked performances as well.