Ove 250 rabbis attended a pre-Shavuot Torah study session on Wednesday, designed to provide a “spark” of inspiration that they can pass onto their congregants over the holiday.

Organised by the Conference of European Rabbis, the 90-minute shiur was divided into five separate sessions that were moderated by high-profile rabbis including former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

During each session, broadcast over Zoom, community rabbis discussed the significance of Shavuot with each of the moderators.

Besides Rabbi Sacks, moderators included the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel Yitzhak Yosef, Rabbi Osher Weiss, Rabbi David Yosef, and President of the Conference of European Rabbis and Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt.

The Conference of European Rabbis is Europe’s largest rabbinic interest group and represents more than 700 rabbis from across Europe.

“Once again, the power of technology has allowed us to reach people across the world and share words of inspiration before the festival of Shavuot,” said Rabbi Goldschmidt.

Explaining the rationale for the programme, Rabbi Goldschmidt said: “We are reaching a time in the pandemic where webinars and online meetings are no longer innovative; the novelty has worn off.”

“The Rabbis of Europe still need to connect to their congregants and to live inspired themselves,” he continued. “We hope that today’s programme has provide that spark that they can carry into the festival and pass on to their congregants.”