Among the Jewish festivals, Shavuot has been the most sadly neglected by secular Jews, either because it falls outside the standard Hebrew school year or, after Passover, many of us just have serious holiday fatigue. This is a shame, because Shavuot has some nice features, namely encouragement of consumption of cheesecake and all-night study sessions. For many organizations that want to appeal to modern Jews, that means eating the cheesecake out with bagels and coffee, and talking about the Torah and stuff, and hoping that the late hour will bring back some of the loopy feeling of college life, though without the pressure of impending exams.

Anyway, that’s the sort of celebration Mishkan Chicago is planning for next Wednesday, May 24. They’re jumping the gun a bit; Shavuot won’t actually start for another week, but hey—at least this won’t interfere with your Memorial Day plans! Also, it only goes till 10 PM, so you can still be alert at work the next morning. And you don’t have to study the Torah, though that is an option (led by Rabbi Benay Lappe of Svara, a “traditionally radical” yeshiva geared toward queer Jews); there will also be discussions of Judaism without God, Israel 50 years after the 1967 war, and a more general conversation about the future of the Jewish people. And there will be crafts. And drumming. Festivities start at 6:30 PM at Catalyst Ranch, 656 W. Randolph.

In other news, Mizrahi on Clark has finally opened in Lakeview, at 3037 N. Clark. It’s kosher-certified and promises to serve only hormone-free meat, prepared according to old family recipes.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount