Sukkot
Sukkot is the last of the three pilgrimage festivals. Like Passover, and Shavuot, Sukkot has a dual significance: spiritual and agricultural. Spiritually, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest festival.
Sukkot lasts for seven days. The two days following the festival, Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, are separate holidays but are related and commonly thought of as part of Sukkot. On Sh’mini Atzeret we begin to pray for rain and also commemorate those who have died in the past year with Yizkor services. Simchat Torah is the holiday where we begin reading the Torah anew.
Erev Kiddush and Potluck | Mon 10/6 | 6:30 p.m. | CBE Sukkah (Rain location: Lobby)
All are welcome for Kiddush, followed by a potluck for parents of young adults (18-25). Details and registration here.
Festival Morning Service | Tue 10/7 | 9:30 a.m. | Park Sukkah (Rain location: Chapel)
Shabbat Evening Service | Fri 10/10 | 6:30 p.m. | Chapel
Sukkot Block Party | Sat 10/11 | noon – 2 p.m. | Garfield Pl (Rain location: Ballroom)
Sukkah Locations:
Our “CBE Sukkah “is located outside the CBE Sanctuary on 8th Avenue.
Our “Park Sukkah” is nestled beneath the trees in Prospect Park.
From the Garfield Place entrance: turn left at the first stone path, before the park’s main drive. Go past the first arch on your right (Meadowport Arch) and continue on the path. At the top of the hill, make a right at the fork, and you’ll see the CBE Sukkah on your right.
From Grand Army Plaza: with your back to the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument, use the entrance to the right of the main drive. Follow the stone path and the CBE Sukkah will be on your left just before you get to Meadowport Arch.
CBE Sukkot Toiletry Drive Monday, October 6 – Monday, October 13
Many of our new neighbors are in need of essential personal care items. In partnership with CHiPS (Community Help in Park Slope), let’s show up for them! Toiletries (travel-sized, please) and socks can be dropped off at the Front Desk, in the sukkah on 8th Avenue, or the sukkah in Prospect Park. And join us at the Sukkot Block Party on October 11 from noon-2 p.m. to put the items into kits to be distributed through CHiPS. Items Needed: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, deodorant, lotion, mouthwash, socks
Small Groups Gatherings in Park Sukkah
Chesed Care Team
Tue 10/7 | 5:30 – 7 p.m. | RSVP here
Navigating Personal and Professional Spaces After Oct 7
Tue 10/7 | 7 p.m. | RSVP here.
LGBTQ Individuals and Families Sukkot Celebration
Wed 10/8 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | RSVP here
Board Gamers
Wed 10/8 | 7 – 9 p.m. | RSVP here
Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews Sukkot Celebration
Sat 10/11 | 2 – 4 p.m. | RSVP here
Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah, שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה, “Rejoicing of Torah” is a Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle. Simchat Torah is a component of the Biblical Jewish holiday of Sh’mini Atzeret (“Eighth Day of Assembly”), which follows immediately after the festival of Sukkot in the month of Tishrei.
The Simchat Torah festivities begin with the evening service. The synagogue’s Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and carried in a series of seven hakafot (circuits). Although each hakafa need only encompass one circuit, the dancing and singing with the Torah often continues much longer, and often overflows from the synagogues onto the streets.
Yizkor for Sh’mini Atzeret | Mon 10/13 | 6:30 p.m. | Chapel
Simchat Torah Across Brooklyn | Tue 10/14 | 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. | Grand Army Plaza
Altshul Service | Wed 10/15 | 9 a.m. | Chapel, Social Hall, Lobby
Youth & Family Simchat Torah | Fri 10/17 | 5:30 p.m. | Sanctuary
- Celebrate Simchat Torah with prayer, singing, dancing, Torah chanting, and feasting! During our celebration we will consecrate and bless all our new Yachad learners. At 6:30 p.m., we’ll enjoy dinner and cake in the CBE Ballroom. Register here.