Shavuot is one of Judaism’s most beautiful celebrations because it reminds us that revelation did not happen only once at Mount Sinai. Torah must continually be renewed. Confirmation traditionally takes place on Shavuot because Shavuot celebrates the giving of Torah at Sinai. Just as our people stood together to receive Torah, our Confirmands stand before the congregation to affirm their own connection to Jewish learning, identity, and community.

Confirmation at KI is not just the end of formal years of religious education.  These students are affirming that Judaism still matters in their lives.  This group of students have chosen to focus on how the KI community really has impacted their lives.  They have deep connections to each other and to their KI teachers.

This Shavuot is especially meaningful for our KI clergy family because both Rabbi David and I will celebrate our own children becoming confirmed.  My daughter Kira and Rabbi David’s son, Elijah will stand together with this amazing class this Shavuot at Confirmation.

Kira and Elijah, like the other students in this class have been shaped by teachers, clergy, Jewish experiences both in and outside of KI, and the support of family love and KI community. The joy of watching them reach this milestone belongs not only to our families, but to the entire congregation that helped nurture them.

Every week at KI we celebrate Jewish life together. This Shavuot our celebration feels deeper and even more joyful. We celebrate Torah, family, community, and the blessing of our students embracing Jewish life and learning as their own. In Yiddish, they call this feeling “naches”; a deep joy and pride that comes from seeing those we love grow into themselves.

Join us this Shavuot on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. or streaming on kenesethisrael.org/stream as we celebrate our Confirmands, our sacred tradition, and the enduring gift of receiving the Torah. To Kira, Elijah, and all of our Confirmands: Mazel Tov. Your joy is our joy, and your future is part of the sacred future of KI and the Jewish people.