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Sukkot & Simhat Torah

festival celebrations

We observe the sacred occasions of the Jewish year each season. Our prayer services and events for each Jewish holiday feature their unique ritual symbols and commemorations. Throughout the year, our observances include opportunities for all ages to share in the particular spirit and meaning of every holiday. 

CELEBRATING SUKKOT

September 30 thru October 8, 2022 (Erev Sukkot September 29)

Sukkot is a time of thanksgiving and hospitality when we celebrate the natural bounties of our world and all that sustains our lives. Immersed in the joys of community, environmental awareness and gratitude to God, we also demonstrate sensitivity to others and their needs for shelter and well-being.

SHABBAT & SUKKOT COMMUNITY DINNER

Friday, September 29
6:15 p.m. Shabbat & Sukkot Service
7:00 p.m. Dinner in the Sukkah 
 

On Sukkot we place ourselves into the Sukkah, the temporary dwelling space that we call home for a little over a week.

Joining with family and friends, we take time to dwell together in Sukkot, celebrating as the Israelites did during Temple times. We continue our ancestors’ tradition of demonstrating gratitude and sharing our blessings with others.

This Shabbat Erev Sukkot, join us for a spirited communal dinner in the Sukkah following our Shabbat Festival service.

$20 adults, $15 children 4 and up.

SUKKOT FESTIVAL MORNING SERVICES

Saturday, September 30 & Sunday, October 1 
9:30 am
 

Join with our Congregation Beth El community in the joy of celebrating Sukkot at Festival Services, communal meals, and holiday programs.
Festival Morning Services touch our imaginations as we gather to share insights, teachings, and brief discussions along with our recitation and festival prayer. On Sunday, we’ll wave Lulav and Etrog and enjoy holiday time together. 

USY Sukkah Sleepover 

7:00 p.m. Saturday, October 30 - 9:00 a.m. Sunday October 1
 

One of our favorite High Holy Day activities is back for another year of fun, friends, and memories! Join us for our annual Sukkah sleepover on Saturday, September 30 - Sunday, October 1. You won't want to miss this! Kindergarten through 3rd grade friends are invited to "stay late over" to enjoy the evening festivities, and be picked up by 10:00 p.m. 

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VTS Sukkot Celebration

Sunday, October 1
10:00 am-noon
Beth El Sukkah
 
VTS Students gather on Sunday, October 1 at 10:00 a.m. to Noon for a non-traditional VTS holiday experience. All grades will meet in the Sukkah to sing and learn about the symbols of the festival and imagine our invited guests through the Mitzvah of Ushpizin. At approximately 11:15 AM, we will join the main service for the traditional Hakkafot, the circling of the sanctuary while holding the lulav and etrog. Afterwards, we will go back to the Sukkah to fulfill the mitzvah of eating a snack in sukkah. Pickup time is noon.

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Simhat Torah

SHEMINI ATZERET SERVICE & LUNCHEON

Saturday, October 7
9:30 am
 
Shemini Atzeret concludes our Sukkot holiday with a Festival Morning Service when we mark the Fall season and remember our loved ones during Yizkor Memorial Prayers. We enjoy a holiday meal together after services. Please RSVP for the luncheon below. 

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SIMHAT TORAH DESSERT CELEBRATION & STUDY

Saturday, October 7
7:00 – 9:00 pm

As Shabbat ends, join us in the Stone Family Sanctuary to mark the beginning of the Simhat Torah holiday. After the Maariv evening service, we will dance with our Torahs in Hakafot. Following Hakafot, we will enjoy a Dessert Celebration and Study “How the Torah Ends and Begins.”  

 

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SIMHAT TORAH COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Sunday, October 8
9:30 a.m. Festival service begins in the Stone Family Sanctuary  
9:30 a.m. VTS Students & Parents Holiday Celebration & Service begins in the Jacobs Family Community Hall 
 
We celebrate the Torah together! During this special moment on the Jewish calendar, we finish reading the Torah, and begin it once more, signifying everlasting learning and tradition.  
 
At 9:30 a.m. as our main service begins in the Stone Family Sanctuary, our Viterbi Torah School students and families are invited to join Rabbi Avi Libman and Craig Parks in the Jacobs Family Community Hall for a musical Festival service & learning session. We rejoice in the holiday of Simhat Torah.  A hands-on interactive experience learning about the Torah, how it's written and why we celebrate it.  From singing and dancing to unrolling the Torah and having an up-close look at our people's core text, this family program has fun written all over it!    
 
At 10:00 a.m. we join together in the Stone Family Sanctuary for Hakafot, dancing with the Torahs.  We all gather together for a festive holiday meal at 11:30 a.m. in the Sukkah on the Turk Family Plaza.   

 

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Tue, April 30 2024 22 Nisan 5784