This week, we mark two moments.

On Yom HaZikaron, we honor the memory of those who gave their lives in defense of the State of Israel, and all those lost to acts of terror.

On Yom HaAtzmaut, we commemorate the founding of the State of Israel and all that it has made possible for the Jewish people.

So many of us hold complex and varied feelings about the current moment in the Middle East. At the same time, we do not take for granted the reality of a Jewish state, and its significance for the Jewish people.

This is the rhythm of the Jewish calendar. We remember, and we continue forward.

May this week be marked with reflection, resilience, and a renewed sense of shared responsibility.

From Harvest to Revelation: How Shavuot Became What It Is Today

Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals in the Torah, rooted in the agricultural rhythms of ancient Israel. And yet, when we celebrate it today, we speak about revelation, Sinai, the receiving of Torah, and, somehow, cheesecake.

So what happened?

In this session, Rabbi David Kasher will peel back the layers of Shavuot, tracing how a biblical harvest festival became associated with Mount Sinai, how its practices evolved, and how it came to mean what it does today. Along the way, we'll engage directly with some of the key texts that shaped the holiday.

Whether you’re encountering Shavuot for the first time or returning to it with years of experience, this session offers a chance to rediscover what this holiday is really about.

Looking for something meaningful to plug into this summer?

The Miller Introduction to Judaism Program is an open invitation to explore Jewish history, holidays, and values in a welcoming and accessible way.

Whether you’re in an interfaith relationship, considering conversion, or simply want to learn what it means to be Jewish, this 18-week course is for anyone who’s Jewish, Jew-ish, or Jew-curious.

Summer is our most popular season, and these are the last classes we’ll offer until August. 

Spots are filling quickly — don’t wait.

Early Bird Rate ($475 – $650 USD) – Ends Apr. 27 🎉

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Rabbi John Carrier

Rabbi John Carrier is a Minnesota-based educator who has taught the Miller Intro to Judaism class for over a decade. Ordained from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2014, he served congregations in Burbank and Pasadena before relocating to Minneapolis in 2023. He now teaches Hebrew and Judaics to students of all ages while producing content for his “Rabbi John Carrier” YouTube channel and The Jewcurious Show podcast.

Early Bird Rate ($475 – $650 USD) – Ends May 24 🎉

Entrada anticipada ($475 – $650 USD) – termina el 11 de junio 🎉