Explore Jewish texts in new and meaningful ways as we engage in this annual late night tradition of studying Torah on Shavuot.

8:00 PM Festival ma'ariv service

8:30 opening session

8:50–9:25 PM Round 1

Ted Meyerson – Advanced Medical Care Planning 
Learn how Advance Directives, MOLST, and Hospice can be used to keep you in control of your health care even if you cannot speak for yourself. Advance Medical Care Planning is important because it helps you retain your right to receive the kinds of treatments you would want, even if you became so ill you could not participate in discussions about your medical care. Mr. Meyerson has been a resident of Maryland for over sixty-five years. He holds an undergraduate degree from Carnegie Mellon University and completed the Harvard Business School Smaller Company Management Program. Over the last 20 years, he has filled multiple roles as an advocate for seniors and as chair of the State Advisory Council on Quality Care at the End of Life. 

Dr. Peter B. Sherer – When is Abortion Medically Indicated?
There are a number of conditions that potentially make pregnancy very risky for the mother as well as pregnancy complications which can cause serious problems. Peter B Sherer MD FACP past chairman, department of medicine, Holy Cross Hospital, past president, Montgomery County Medical Society; retired from practice of internal medicine and hematology-oncology. 

Rabbi Cheryl Stone – Spiritual Audacity: The Role of Conversion in the Bible and The Conversion Experience
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a 20th century theologian and
philosopher, coined the phrase “Spiritual Audacity” with regard to conversion. Audacity means one who is willing to take bold risks. Conversion involves taking a risk.

9:30–9:40 PM Cheesecake Dessert Reception

9:45–10:20 PM  Round 2

Dr. Jonathan Silver –What’s Behind Israel’s Judicial Reforms and the Protests?
Israel’s Knesset is considering a set of reforms that would change the way its legislative and judicial systems relate to one another. Passionate advocates in favor of and in opposition to these reforms have mobilized and taken to domestic and international media to voice their arguments. Along the way, the issue of judicial reform has come to symbolize deep social cleavages running through Israeli society. Learn more about the reforms and the response with Dr. Jonathan Silver, editor of Mosaic, and the senior director of Tikvah Ideas, where he is also the Warren R. Stern Senior Fellow of Jewish Civilization. He is also the host of the Tikvah Podcast on which he has hosted hundreds of writers, rabbis, educators, military officers, artists, and political figures, including members of Israel’s Knesset, the U.S. Senate, and the prime minister of Israel.

Rabbi Michael Safra: The Sefat Emet on Shavuot
Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, also known by the title of his most famous work, the Sefat Emet, was a 19th century Hasidic master. In line with the Hasidic tradition, Sefat Emet looks inward to find God in the intimate interactions between individuals, the wisdom of Torah, and communal traditions. The spotlight on the individual makes these pre-modern texts very relevant to religious seeker. Rabbi Safra will share the teachings of the Sefat Emet as it pertains to Shavuot, a celebration of revelation. 
 

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