The sweet aura of family learning

If you turned up in shul for the Leil Shavuot Learning Program which we offered in cooperation with our friends at OU Israel, you might have detected the happy atmosphere that pervaded the premises ahead of the main event. No, it wasn't the allure of the plastic floral decorations or the scent of the fruit platters; it was the detectable aura of learning that was left in the building by a very special event which took place earlier and that you may never have heard about. Let one of the participants, Keren Simon tell you about it. She writes:

On Leil Shavuot BKH, in partnership with OU Israel, hosted the annual Shavuot Se'udah for families with young children. Families from the neighborhood, Katamon and the City Center joined Rav and Rebbetzin Kenigsberg for a delicious dairy spread including salads, salmon, noodles and potatoes.

Next on the agenda was some learning. Children then impressed their parents with a fast-paced chidon led by Rabbi Kenigsberg. This was followed  by parent-child learning with OU Israel’s Rabbi Sam and Henny Shor. Finally, the children (and adults!) were treated to ice cream and many parents then joined the Shul’s Tikun Leil Shavuot program.

The evening was a wonderful beginning to the Shavuot Chag -- and we look forward to seeing everyone again at the upcoming Intergenerational Shabbat in June. 

Thanks, Keren, for opening a window on this lovely and deservedly popular program. We hope it will long remain a fixture on the Hanassi calendar.

Shavuot Night at Beit Knesset Hanassi: A Celebration for the Whole Family

This year, in addition to the usual all-night fare, we were treated to a delightful innovation which, we hope, we will be able to repeat in the future. Rabbi Kenigsberg writes:

This Shavuot night, the halls of Beit Knesset Hanassi were filled with the sounds of Torah, laughter, and community spirit, as several young families gathered for a festive dinner and learning program geared especially for children and parents.

Hosted together with Rabbi and Rebbetzin Kenigsberg and their family, the meal brought together the families who regularly attend our weekly children’s service, creating a sense of connection and belonging as we welcomed the chag together. The atmosphere was lively and warm, with delicious food, engaging conversation, and divrei Torah delivered by two of our young stars, who shared thoughtful insights on Matan Torah.

Following the meal, families moved into a specially prepared “Tikkun Leil" — a night of learning designed for children and their parents. Each family received a guided source sheet with age-appropriate materials for learning together, sparking meaningful discussions and questions. The learning session concluded with a story and an interactive quiz led by Rabbi Kenigsberg, creating an exciting and memorable lead-in to the main Shavuot learning program later that evening.

We’re so proud of the children who participated with such enthusiasm and curiosity, and deeply grateful to all the parents who made the effort to join. Moments like these remind us that Torah is truly morasha kehilat Yaakov — an inheritance passed down through the generations.