Shavuot doesn’t get the same attention as Passover or the High Holidays. No giant seders. No frantic matzah runs. No annual debate over whether that one cabinet is “technically chametz.”

But in St. Louis, it may be the Jewish holiday with the widest range of experiences packed into a single day.

This year, you can celebrate Shavuot at a petting zoo, in a synagogue debating Torah late into the night, over cheesecake and scribal arts workshops, or chasing your toddler through a garden with a bagel in hand.

And this year, one of the largest community-wide gatherings is tying Sinai itself to America at 250.

⭐ Community-wide featured event

Revelation & Revolution: Sinai Meets 1776

A community Shavuot evening of learning, memory and meaning

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, four Reform congregations are connecting the giving of the Torah with the American experiment itself.

Hosted at United Hebrew Congregation and planned jointly by clergy from Shaare Emeth, Temple Israel, United Hebrew Congregation and Temple Emanuel, the evening blends festival worship, Yizkor, learning sessions and discussion centered on freedom, responsibility and Jewish ideas in American life.

Guests can choose from multiple learning sessions during registration.

The program opens with cheesecake and wine before moving into services and study.

Schedule

• 7:30 p.m. — Cheesecake and wine reception
• 7:45 p.m. — Festival service with Yizkor
• 8:30 p.m. — Learning sessions
• 9:30 p.m. — Closing reading of the Ten Commandments

When: Thursday, May 21
Where: United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Conway Road
RSVP: Registration required

🕍 Bais Abraham Congregation

Tikkun Leil Shavuot

For many Jews, Shavuot means staying up late studying Torah — or at least trying to make it to the final session before the cheesecake crash kicks in.

This year’s community Tikkun Leil Shavuot is sponsored by Central Reform Congregation, Kol Rinah and Bais Abraham and includes dinner, multiple learning tracks and dairy treats throughout the night.

Schedule

• 8 p.m. — Services
• 9 p.m. — Dairy dinner
• 9:45 p.m. — Learning session one
• 10:35 p.m. — Learning session two
• 11:25 p.m. — Learning session three

When: Thursday, May 21 | 8 p.m.–2 a.m.
Where: Bais Abraham Congregation
Cost: Learning sessions are free. Dinner requires advance registration and purchase

🕍 Chabad of Chesterfield

Pre-Shavuot floral focaccia art workshop

Chabad of Chesterfield and the Jewish Women’s Circle are mixing Shavuot learning with artisan bread design at a women’s night out centered around floral focaccia art.

Participants will create edible focaccia designs using herbs, vegetables and edible flowers while also exploring the connection between women and Shavuot, including the story of Ruth and themes of courage, loyalty and resilience.

The evening also includes a dairy buffet, boba bar, raffles and giveaways.

“This is more than an event,” said Chanala Rubenfeld, director of the Jewish Women’s Circle. “It’s an opportunity for women to step out of the routine, connect with wonderful people, and experience something beautiful, meaningful, and uplifting.”

When: Wednesday, May 20 | 7 p.m.
Where: Chesterfield location provided upon registration
Cost:

• Early bird: $36 before May 10
• General admission: $45
• Sponsorship: $180

RSVP: JewishChesterfield.com/JWC

🕍 St. Charles Jewish Community (Chabad)

Celebrate Shavuot, St. Charles!

Chabad Jewish St. Charles is hosting a family-friendly Shavuot gathering in the backyard of a private home featuring the reading of the Ten Commandments, an ice cream party and a light dairy buffet.

The brief holiday service is designed for all ages and offers families a chance to celebrate Shavuot close to home — no desert travel required.

When: Friday, May 22 | 5:30 p.m.
Where: Address provided upon RSVP
Cost: Free. Sponsorships available.
RSVP: JewishStCharles.org/Shavuot

🕍 Congregation B’nai Amoona

Sweet Shavuot Spectacular

Congregation B’nai Amoona is leaning fully into the dairy side of Shavuot with a family-focused morning featuring Mini Minyan, Junior Congregation and an ice cream sundae bar.

The “Sweet Shavuot Spectacular” includes a dairy Kiddush lunch sponsored by Linda and Mike Rosenblatt following family Shavuot programming.

When: Saturday, May 23 | 10:15 a.m.
Where: Congregation B’nai Amoona
Cost: Free

“Bites & Bite-Size Learning”

Congregation B’nai Amoona and Traditional Congregation are teaming up for a Shavuot evening of services, short learning sessions and dairy treats.

Organizers are specifically promising cheesecake, which honestly feels important to mention.

When: Thursday, May 21 | 7 p.m.
Where: Traditional Congregation, 12437 Ladue Road
Cost: Free
RSVP: Registration required

🕍 MaTovu

Shavuot: Earth-Based Judaism and scribal arts

If your ideal Shavuot involves Torah, cheesecake and learning ancient scribal techniques, MaTovu may have the most MaTovu-style event imaginable.

The evening explores both the spiritual and physical dimensions of Shavuot through workshops led by Rachel Binstock, a teacher focused on Earth-based Judaism and Jewish ancestral skills. The night includes dinner from The Gramophone, cheesecake from Hank’s and two workshop sessions.

Workshop topics

• Intro to Earth-Based Judaism
• Scribal Arts Workshop

Schedule

• 6:30–6:45 p.m. — Welcome and dinner
• 6:46–7:45 p.m. — Workshop one
• 7:45–8 p.m. — Cheesecake break
• 8–9 p.m. — Workshop two

When: Saturday, May 21 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Cost: Sliding scale from $0–$36

🕍 Shaare Emeth

Shavuot on the farm

If your Shavuot plans involve kids, snacks and possibly a goat encounter, Shaare Emeth and PJ Library have you covered.

The afternoon celebration brings a spring harvest festival feel to the holiday with a petting zoo, cow bouncer, quick pickling demo, dairy snacks and hands-on Jewish learning.

The event is designed as an open-house experience, allowing families to stop by after school or work.

When: Thursday, May 21 | 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Where: Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road
Cost: Free
RSVP: Required

🕍 Temple Israel

Shavuot learning with Rabbi Amy

Temple Israel is pairing Shavuot learning with desserts and a closer look at the Book of Ruth, one of the holiday’s central texts.

Following Shabbat services, Rabbi Amy Feder will lead a discussion exploring themes of love, loyalty and unexpected courage woven throughout the story of Ruth.

And yes, there will be sweets.

When: Friday, May 22
Where: Temple Israel
Cost: Not listed
RSVP: Through Temple Israel’s Shavuot Hub

More Shavuot events are still being added to this guide. If you know of an event not on our list, please send an email to [email protected]