Shavuot community celebration

Shavuot is a holiday that commemorates the receiving of the Torah, and in Jewish tradition, it’s customary to stay up all night learning together in community. As part of this year’s Boulder Shavuot Community Celebration, JFS Boulder’s Development and Community Engagement Manager, Miche Bacher, had the honor of participating in a panel reflecting on what it means to build and sustain sacred community. 

The panel, moderated by Rabbi Jacob Chatinover of Bonai Shalom, was titled “Building Holy Community (Kehillah Kedoshah): The Work of Chesed (Acts of Loving Kindness).” Together, the panel explored questions like: 

• What does a sacred community look like? 

• What does it take to sustain one? 

• How do we practice communal care in ways that honor the dignity (Kavod Habriyot) of both the giver and the recipient? 

• And in our own Boulder community—what are the barriers we face, and where are we really shining? 

It was a meaningful conversation alongside an incredible group of fellow panelists, including Rabbi Fred Greene (Har Hashem), Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakin (Nevei Kodesh), Jonathan Lev (Boulder JCC), Janet Lowe (Chevra Kadisha), Caron Robinson (Bonai Shalom), Alyce Kitt (Har Hashem), and Elizabeth Otto (Nevei Kodesh). 

What was especially powerful was the gathering itself—hundreds of community members coming together late into the night to learn, reflect, and consider how we can show up for one another with care and intention. It was truly uplifting, and JFS was honored to be part of such a meaningful experience.