Sukkot & Simchat Torah
After the introspection of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Sukkot calls us back towards one another. It’s a time for community, gathering, and joy, and here at CBE there are so many ways to celebrate.
We’ll begin with CBE Homecoming Weekend, including Vision Shabbat and our beloved Sukkot Block Party. Throughout Sukkot, small groups of members will gather in our two community sukkot, and we’ll close out the festival season by singing and dancing the night away at Simchat Torah.
CBE Homecoming Weekend
September 25-26
The High Holy Days ask us to reflect on who we have been and imagine who we want to become as individuals and as a community. Homecoming Weekend is our opportunity to begin putting those intentions into practice, together.
Friday, September 25
Jewish Happy Hour
6:00 p.m. | Temple House
Our Friday night tradition. All are welcome.
Vision Shabbat
6:30 p.m. | Temple House
Come listen as Rabbi Rachel Timoner shares her guiding principles and vision for CBE and the year ahead.
Community-wide Oneg
8:00 p.m. | 8th Avenue Sukkah
After services, everyone is invited to gather in our 8th Avenue sukkah for the first night of the festival. We’ll have light bites and beverages.
Saturday, September 26
Saturday Morning Services
9:30 a.m.
Shir L’Shabbat, Gan Shabbat, Limud Shabbat and in the services in the Sanctuary all will be in full swing. If you don’t normally come to Saturday services, this is a great chance to check them out. If you are a Saturday morning regular, please bring friends!
Sukkot Block Party
12:00-2:30 p.m.
Fingers crossed for sun – everyone’s favorite Sukkot Block Party is back! Celebrate the festival and discover literally hundreds of ways to get involved at CBE this fall. All facets and faces of our community will be there including leaders from CBE Small Groups, Chesed, and as well as Yachad and ECC team members. There will be live music, games for kids, temporary tattoos, glitter and plenty of time to make new friends and kibbitz. If it rains, we will move indoors to the Ballroom.
Leaders Gathering
2:00-4:00 p.m. | Rotunda
Lay leaders will come together for focused sessions on community organizing and leadership development.
Community Havdalah
4:00 p.m. | Rotunda
We’ll bring the day to a close with a Havdalah service led by our clergy and music team. All are welcome.
Friday, October 2
Kabbalat Shabbat Sh’mini Atzeret with Yizkor Memorial Prayers
6:30 p.m. | Chapel
Gatherings in Our Sukkot
As is CBE tradition, we have two sukkot. One in the park and one just outside the sanctuary on 8th Avenue. Throughout the festival, our small groups will be hosting gatherings in both locations. These will be opportunities to reconnect with communities you know or discover new ones. See the schedule and map below for more information.
Monday, September 28
- CSA Pickup: 4:00-8:00 p.m. | 8th Avenue Sukkah
- Chesed: 6:00 – 7:30 | Park Sukkah
Tuesday, September 29
- Election Postcarding: 6:00-7:00 p.m. | 8th Avenue Sukkah
- Israel/Palestine Trip: 6:00 – 8:00 | Park Sukkah
Wednesday, September 30
- Israel/Palestine Action Team: 6:30-7:00 p.m. | 8th Avenue Sukkah
- Jews of Color/Multiracial Families: 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Park Sukkah
Thursday, October 1
- Mah Jongg: 7:00-9:00 p.m. | 8th Avenue Sukkah
- Men Doing Mitzvahs: 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Park Sukkah
Friday, October 2
- Empty Nesters: 8:00-9:30 p.m. | 8th Avenue Sukkah
If it rains, these groups will meet in the CBE Boardroom.
Sukkah Locations
Sh’mini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
Sukkot leads us directly into Sh’mini Arzeret and Simchat Torah, when we move from connecting in the sukkah and celebrating community to celebrating the Torah itself in all its multitude, dynamism, and depth.
Youth & Family Simchat Torah
Fri 10/2 | 5:30 p.m. | Sanctuary
Celebrate Simchat Torah with prayer, singing, dancing, Torah chanting, and feasting as we consecrate and bless all our new Yachad learners. The service is open to all followed by dinner and dessert for Yachad families.
Simchat Torah Across Brooklyn
Sat 10/3 | 8 p.m. | Grand Army Plaza
Celebrate Torah with Jewish communities from across the community at Simchat Torah Across Brooklyn—now in our 15th year!
We’ll begin with Ma’ariv at 8:00 p.m., followed by hakafot and dancing with the Torah scrolls as the party pulses throughout the night. Later, we’ll hear clergy and lay members chant from the Torah, and raise a l’chaim together for Kiddush.