Following closely on the heels of the Yamim Noraim are the festivals of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah.
SUKKOT
Sukkot was known by the rabbis as HeHag, “the festival”, because of its crucial importance in the religious life of the people, and because of the great joy associated with the festival.
We will honour that tradition by holding services on Sukkot, on Thursday October 17 and Friday October 18, beginning at 9:30 am. Everyone will be invited to visit our Narayever sukkah after services and enjoy a special Sukkot lunch.
Decorating the Sukkah
Bring your family and join us to decorate our Sukkah on Tuesday, October 15. This will be an after-school event and snacks will be served. Stay tuned for more details in the Narayever Net.
Build Your Own Sukkah
Community members who can do so are encouraged to build their own sukkah at their homes and to register for the Sukkah Hop so those without sukkahs in our community have an opportunity to join in the festivities. For information about how to build a sukkah, please contact Rabbi Elkin at rabbi@narayever.ca.
Ordering Your Lulav & Etrog
We encourage you to purchase lulav/etrog sets from one of the Judaica stores around town and bring them to Sukkot services (except on Shabbat). This year the shul office will be handling orders from Aleph Bet Judaica that can be picked up at the shul office starting on Tuesday October 15 during the day. Deadline for ordering is September 26. Call the shul office or order directly using this form.
Sukkah Hop
We are so excited to host our Sukkah Hop for the third year in a row! On Sunday October 20, enjoy visiting different sukkahs of Narayever members and take part in blessings, noshing and schmoozing. All are invited to this joyous and festive outdoor event where we gather with other Narayeverniks and friends. The sukkahs are all within walking distance of the shul and our very own Narayever Sukkah will be one of the stops. Check Narayever Net closer to the time for more details and to register as a guest. Please email celebrations@narayever.ca by October 1 if you are interested in being a host.
SHEMINI ATZERET / SIMCHAT TORAH
Shemini Atzeret, with Yizkor and Tefilat Geshem, will be observed on Thursday October 24, beginning at 9:30 am.
This year Shemini Atzeret will mark the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel according to the Jewish calendar, so we will remember the victims of October 7 in that day’s Yizkor as well. That night at 7:30 pm and the next morning October 25 beginning at 9:30 am we will dance with the Torah at our wonderfully festive Simchat Torah celebration, to close out this year’s yom tov season.
Remember – the holidays don’t end at break-the-fast at the end of Yom Kippur. All are welcome and encouraged to celebrate all the fall yomim tovim at our shul.
