Urban Shavuot Retreat

 

In May 2026, for the fourth year, we held our annual all-night Shavuot vigil at a downtown location. It’s a beloved Agudas Achim experience you won’t find anywhere else. 

For the 2026 retreat we returned to the comfort of the Brown Street Inn. We were joined by about 50 people, ages 6 to 80. We began with a potluck dinner, followed by a Kabbalat Shabbat service. Then came music from Linda Wertz and dancing, and a series of overnight learning sessions led by people from across the congregation. Topics ranged from medieval printers to puppets to Jewish superheroes, not to mention Torah!

For the first time, our Youth Group organized activities for children over age 10, which included a play by the Rabbi based on the Book of Ruth. We made our traditional homemade ice cream, then greeted the dawn with joyful prayer. 

We hope you can join us in 2027!

Urban Shavuot Retreat
Dawn service on Linn St. in Iowa City, 2025 Urban Shavuot Retreat
Dawn service on Linn St. in Iowa City, 2025 Urban Shavuot Retreat
Craft Session from the 2025 Urban Shavuot Retreat
Craft Session from the 2025 Urban Shavuot Retreat
Urban Shavuot Retreat
The Kabbalat Shabbat service held on the lawn of the Brown Street Inn at the May, 2026 retreat
The Kabbalat Shabbat service held on the lawn of the Brown Street Inn at the May, 2026 retreat