Shavuot “Blind Date with a Book” Tikkun Leil
Shavuot “Blind Date with a Book” Tikkun Leil
A program developed by Adira Rosen, inspired by an event hosted by Brookline Moishe House Resident Michelle Buzharsky
June 2025
OVERVIEW:
On Erev Shavuot, the holiday that celebrate receiving the Torah, it is traditional to pull and all-nighter studying Torah (or more expansively, Jewish text)! This is often called a Tikkun Leil—literally translated as “repair night.” According to a midrash, when the Torah was given, some of the Israelites were asleep! A Tikkun Leil on Shavuot is a way to “make amends” or “repair” that mistake by staying awake and studying. But what do you do if you’re not a night owl and you still want to observe this tradition?! Try hosting a Shavuot “Blind Date with a Book” Tikkun Leil. For this event, community members will gather to learn about the role of Torah study/storytelling in Jewish tradition! Ahead of the event, the host will purchase several books by Jewish authors/on Jewish topics and wrap them in paper, so they’re entirely concealed. Then, at the event, community members will get to choose a book, unwrap it, share out what book they got, and everyone will get to have some time to quietly begin reading their new books together! This is the ideal Shavuot Tikkun Leil for a more introverted crowd looking for a cozy night in.
TIP: Apply for the Jewish Culture and Holiday Grant and the Jewish Learning Grant to purchase books by Jewish authors/on Jewish topics.
MATERIALS:
● Printed source sheets on Storytelling in Jewish Tradition
● Books by Jewish authors/on Jewish topics for each of your guests
● Wrapping paper or paper grocery bags to use as wrapping paper
● Optional: A marker or sharpie to write a short one-liner about the book on the wrapping paper
● Optional: Tea, snacks, other Shavuot themed foods (cheesecake anyone?!)
PROGRAM OUTLINE: (~60 min)
● Welcome and Framing (10 min)
● Group Learning (20 min)
● Blind Date with Our Books! (30 min)
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Program Prep:
• Create an RSVP system for community members.
• Have community members RSVP in order to attend this event so you know how many books to purchase.
• Purchase books by Jewish authors/on Jewish topics
o Consider purchasing from local bookstores.
o Purchase a few extra just in case people RSVP at the last minute. o Here are some lists of great Jewish books…
▪ 100 Must Read Works of Jewish Fiction
• Wrap all books in opaque wrapping paper so the book is entirely covered.
• Optional: Write a short one line, somewhat vague, description of the book on the paper.
• Set up snacks/food/drink.
• Create a cozy set up with lots of seating options to sit and read books.
Beginning – Welcome and Framing (10 min)
● Welcome everyone and thank them for coming.
● Consider having some snacks or drinks for people to enjoy as they settle in.
● Explain the program:
○ Example of what you could say:
■ On Erev Shavuot, the holiday that celebrate receiving the Torah, it is traditional to pull and all-nighter studying Torah (or more expansively, Jewish text)! This is often called a Tikkun Leil— literally translated as “repair night.” According to a midrash, when the Torah was given, some of the Israelites were asleep! A Tikkun Leil on Shavuot is a way to “make amends” or “repair” that mistake by staying awake all night and studying. Tonight we are going to do a chiller version of that to honor the tradition while still honoring our need for a good night sleep. We will learn a little about the role of Torah study/storytelling in Jewish tradition! And then everyone will get to pick a book at random for them to go on a little “date” with! Essentially what that means is that everyone will pick a book at random, unwrap it, share with us what book you got and then we’ll have some quiet, cozy time to begin reading together in community before heading home with your new book!
Middle – Group Learning (20 min)
● Learn through the source sheet on Storytelling in Jewish Tradition.
End – Blind Date with Our Books! (30 min)
● Everyone picks a book!
● Go around and have everyone unwrap their book and share the title and read the little blurb on the back or inside cover.
○ Depending on the size of your group, consider having everyone draw a number from a hat and go in a set order to pick their books, unwrap them, and share with the group the title and the little blurb on the back cover.
● After everyone has shared invite your guests to get some more tea/snacks and find a cozy spot to begin reading.
○ Consider having chill, wordless music playing in the background.