Chevrei:
As you read this, we will be entering the most solemn 24 hours in the Jewish
religious cycle. As I write this on September 15th, our minds and hearts are
turned to the coming High Holy Days with great focus and anticipation. The High
Holy Days as a “season” feel overwhelming for clergy and congregation alike.
We hope to immerse ourselves in possibilities for t’shuvah — repentance and
forgiveness. And renewal.
Yom Kippur will come and go and we will be left once again to face our private lives, privately, without the strength of our extraordinary liturgy, our rabbis to teach us, our voices chanting and singing together. After Yom Kippur, I often feel emotionally exhausted and ready for some joyful release. Enter Sukkot/Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret.
Our tradition’s gift to us is this chance to celebrate the final transition of the year — the harvest of fall fruits and vegetables, and the final verses of Torah. Unlike Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah are built on themes which are accessible to everyone, including the next generation. We must take this grand finale of the holiday season to heart!
This year, we send out a special invitation to our kids — both those enrolled in Torah school and those not enrolled. On Shabbat morning October 11th, Friday night October 17th, and Shabbat morning, October 18th, we will gather for services in celebration of reaching this season.
Saturday, October 11th is the first day of Sukkot — one that we consider “yuntif” (a Yom Tov). Our own wonderful Sue Marx will lead a children’s service beginning at 9:30a.m. in the downstairs multi-purpose room for kindergartners through 3rd graders. Older children are welcome to come to serve as models and mentors for the younger children! At about 10:15 A.M., the children will join the rest of the congregation in the main sanctuary for the singing of Hallel and a special Torah procession, in which kids will be invited to participate.
On Friday night, October 17th, we welcome all ages for a Simchat Torah/Shabbat Slam holiday and Shabbat celebration. Contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Simchat Torah is not just for kids! It is a moment of great communal joy which presents itself to all ages, perhaps more for us the older we get and appreciate the power and beauty of our connection with the Torah. So, ADULTS OF ALL AGES, come ready to dance and celebrate your community’s completion of another year of Torah study and enlightenment. We will have several of our own talented musicians on hand for this great evening.
Then, on Shabbat morning, October 18th, we will gather for the final holiday celebration of Simchat Torah (rejoicing at the completion of a full Torah reading cycle) and Shemini Atzeret (the eighth day of gathering.) On this final day,we also invite all our Adat Shalom kindergartners through third graders to children’s services with Sue Marx at 9:30 a.m. in the downstairs multipurpose room (with older children again welcome to be role models for the younger kids, as well as participants!). Kids will then be welcomed into the main sanctuary 10:30am for a special Hallel and Torah service. On Shemini Atzeret we will also recite Yizkor after the Torah is read.
So, resist the impulse to say that you’ve had enough of synagogue after Yom Kippur. Think of Sukkot and Simchat Torah as the showstopper at the end of the show that can’t be missed. Our tradition’s riches are too wonderful to miss and are a much-needed tonic to the heavy themes of the high holy days. May our t’shuvah be continuous and our joy be great!
B’vracha,
Hazzan Rachel