Shabbat Shalom from CEO Nora Gorenstein

Dear Friend,

Wishing you a Sukkot filled with joy, unity, and countless blessings!

May this special time of year bring you and your loved ones closer together, as we celebrate the harvest and the bonds that make our community strong.

I hope to see you around the community during this Sukkot at events like NextGen’s Charcuterie in the Sukkah, and more!

Chag Sameach,

Nora Gorenstein, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer

SUKKOT EVENTS

First Day Sukkot
Saturday September 30  |  10:00 am – 1:00 pm 
Congregation Sons of Zion, Holyoke

First Day Sukkot service begins at 10 am via Zoom. Please contact the office at office@sonsofzionholyoke.org if you would like to attend.

Second Day Sukkot
Sunday October 1  |  10:00 am – 1:00 pm 
Congregation Sons of Zion, Holyoke

This will be the first opportunity for lulav and strong. Holiday Kiddush follows service in the Sukkah.

The Sukkot World
Monday October 2  |  5:00 pm – 6:00 pm 
29 Silver Birch Road, Longmeadow 

Kids will start with a “shopping trip” supplies, then move on to the Construction Zone to build their Sukkah, followed by setting up their model in a mini Sukkah City. We’re also going to play the “Four Kinds Activity Challenge” and create a mega Arba Minim set! 
Email Mushkie at Mushkiekosofsky@gmail.com by 10/2 to RSVP.

Unpacking Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah!
Monday October 2  |  7:30 pm – 8:30 pm  |  Virtual

The Torah is a book.  Books are meant to be read.  Why are we jumping around with a rolled-up Torah instead of studying it?
Call (413) 567-0036 for more details.

Coffee in the Sukkah with Rabbi Wallk
Tuesday October 3  |  10:30 am – 11:30 am  
Temple Beth El, Springfield

Join Rabbi Amy Wallk for conversation and questions while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea in our beautiful sukkah.  No question is a bad one!  She will be available to chat, listen to your stories, and answer questions.  This time you can choose the topic!

Science in the Sukkah
Wednesday October 4  |  5:00 pm – 6:30 pm  
LYA, Longmeadow

Join LYA for Mad Science and Spin, Pop and Boom. Participants will see experiments that demonstrate the effect of centripetal force. A pasta and meat sauce dinner will be served in the LYA Sukkah. There will be vegan and gluten free options. The event will be held rain or shine. Cost to attend is $6.00 a child, $10.00 an adult and a family rate of $35. 
Click here to register.

Charcuterie in the Sukkah with NextGen
Thursday October 5  |  6:00 pm – 7:30 pm  
Temple Beth El’s Outdoor Sukkah (in the back), Springfield

Join us for a festive Sukkot experience like no other at “Charcuterie in the Sukkah,” an exciting event brought to you by NextGen, the vibrant Jewish Young Adult Program of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. Whether you’re looking to reunite with familiar faces or make new friends, “Charcuterie in the Sukkah” promises an unforgettable evening of community, joy, and delectable treats. Cost is on a sliding scale: subsidized ticket $18, event ticket $36, sponsor ticket $50. Childcare is available during this program at no cost! Register here.

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 5 pm 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.