May 22, 2026 – Shavuot

Giving: Celebrating Our Confirmands and the Meaning of Shavuot

Tonight is a threefold celebration: Shabbat, Shavuot and Confirmation. It is easy enough to confuse Simchat Torah with Shavuot. The first focuses on Rejoicing (simcha) in the Torah and the second focuses on the Giving (matan) of the Torah. In the Progressive Jewish world, we teach that this matan, this giving that we call revelation is ongoing. Yes, Sinai was a dramatic, transformative and awesome moment, but every moment has the potential to be these things if we approach it with a sense of purpose, gratitude and reflection.

Tonight we celebrate what our three confirmands and their families have given, are giving and will continue to give. These students have been giving their Sunday mornings to Jewish learning since they were toddlers. Their parents have been giving them the gift of a Jewish education even on days when it would have been easier or more entertaining to do something else. Students, parents, teachers and volunteers have given the gift of their time, a non-renewable resource, so Jewish knowledge, connection to community, and love of humanity can continue for generations. Our sages called this Shalshelet Ha’kabalh, the chain of tradition.

Our service is not a graduation but a commencement. Our students are not “done.” We are never done with Jewish learning. They are taking the next step in their religious journey, and we celebrate this step with them. Just as they have given us their time and energy learning the aleph-bet, mastering b’nai mitzvah portions, working in the garden and cooking in the kitchen, we ask them to continue the sacred tasks of Jewish culture by remaining engaged, involved and committed to their congregation and community. We can go from preaching to practicing this charge by modeling the behavior we want and expect of them. We are not done either.

May the spirit of giving, a key component in the progress of these students and their families, continue to inspire all of us. May this festival celebrating the giving of the Torah remind us to give whatever we can, however we can and when we can. Mazel Tov to our students, their families and their teachers. May you take pride in all you have given, and may the joy of accomplishment renew your desire to give.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Wirtschafter