Dear Friend,
This Sukkot has featured an incredible range of events for all ages, and I hope that you have had a chance to gather with family and friends under a sukkah (or several)!
Last night’s NextGen event, Charcuterie in the Sukkah, was joyful and celebratory, bringing together young adults from across our community. We look forward to many more opportunities to get together throughout the year. Thank you to the Jewish Endowment Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts for sponsoring this event and enabling more equitable access for NextGen participants. To learn more about NextGen and other opportunities to connect, please contact Donor Impact Officer Bobby Naimark. We would love to hear your ideas for future events!
From our national network, the Jewish Federations of North America, don’t miss this upcoming webinar on the status of judicial reform in Israel, which will take place on Wednesday, October 11 at 2 pm ET and will feature Times of Israel correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn. Register here.
As we conclude Sukkot and celebrate Shemini Ateret and Simchat Torah, on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts I wish you a Chag Sameach, joyful holiday! Let us embrace the joy of Simchat Torah as we conclude and begin anew, dancing with the Torah and celebrating the wisdom it brings to our lives.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,
Nora Gorenstein, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer
SUKKOT & SIMCHAT TORAH EVENTS
Simchas Beis Hashoeva
Thursday October 5 | 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm
LYA, Longmeadow
Join LYA for a grand Sukkah party. There will be live music, refreshments, glow sticks and treats for the children.
Simchat Torah & Consecration at TBE
Saturday October 7 | 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Temple Beth El, Springfield
Please join us to celebrate Simchat Torah and the consecration of our B’Yachad students. Here’s the schedule:
9:30 – 11:00 am – Shacharit, Hallel & beginning of the Torah service
11:00 – 11:45 am – Consecration, hakafot with the klezmer band Klezamir. The families from our Tot Shabbat program will join us in the sanctuary, as we sing and dance together.
11:45 am – 1:00 pm – Torah service, Yizkor and Musaf
Shemini Atzeret (last day Sukkot) Yizkor
Saturday October 7 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Virtual
This service (including Yizkor) will be held via Zoom. If you would like to attend, please contact the SOZ office at office@sonsofzionholyoke.org by 5pm the day before.
Simchat Torah Family Service
Saturday October 7 | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
CBI, Northampton
Bring your own vegetarian dinner to eat after kids’ programming, and then join the community-wide Simchat Torah festivities at 7:00 pm!
Simchat Torah at the JCA
Saturday October 7 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
JCA, Amherst
Community Simchat Torah celebration at the JCA including singing, crafts, dancing with the Torah, and bagels from our outdoor, wood fired oven.
Simchat Torah @LYA
Saturday October 7 | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
LYA, Longmeadow
Dance with the Torah and enjoy a dinner following the dancing. Free of charge.