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Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah

10/22/2024 02:02:42 PM

Oct22

As we conclude our holiday season with the joyous and festive Simchat Torah, we cannot help but question the appropriateness of celebrating as we simultaneously mark one year from last year's horrific Shemini Atzeret attack.

Simchat Torah is a celebration of the Torah's completion and beginning, and could theoretically be separated from recent and current events, but that's not quite how we can - our should - function emotionally. At the same time, we consider Yom Tov celebration to be an obligation, especially as we model the joy we derive from Torah to our families, friends, and selves.

The answer has to be that we must try to do both. On these days we will both celebrate and mourn. This contradiction is not new to us as Jews, and can be found all over our calendar, texts, and liturgy. Of course, this is probably a year to tone down our famous (infamous) Sixth Street antics and to lean in to Simchat Torah in it's purer sense. Of course, this will only work if we have each other, so please, do everything that you can to join us and to be present.

Maybe next year's Simchat Torah be less complicated.

Gavriel Bellino, Rabbi

 

We return for Yom Tov services on Wednesday at 5:45 PM

Shemini Atzeret day will begin on Thurdsay at 9:00 AM and we will recite Yizkor at 10:45 AM. There will be no kiddush following services.

Simchat Torah festivities begin Thursday afternoon with Mincha and Pre-Hakaffot Snacks at 5:30 PM, with Maariv and Hakafot beginning at 6:30 PM. We remind We remind you that our Simchat Torah celebrations tend to skew early (leaving plenty of time for side-plans, meals, sleep).

Simchat Torah Morning services begin at 8:30 AM, with Coffee Kiddush at 9:30 AM, Hakafot at 10:00 AM and Aliyot (for men and women) at 10:30 AM. Please be sure to bring your children to the Kids' Hakafa - sponsored by Alan Bubbles Schwartz - at approximately 11:00 AM.

Immediately following Simchat Torah services there will be a delicious Kiddush. (We are in need of sponsors so please let us know!)

Chag Sameach. 

 

Hoshana  Rabba / Erev Shemini Atzeret
Wednesday, October 23
Shacharit: 8:00 AM
Candle Lighting: 5:45 PM
Mincha: 5:45 PM
Maariv: 6:03 PM
   
Shemini Atzeret
Thursday, October 24
Shacharit: 9:00 AM
Shema before: 9:58 AM
Yizkor: 10:45 AM
Mincha & Pre-Hakafot Snacks: 5:30 PM
Maariv/Hakkafot: 6:30 PM
Candle Lighting from a
pre-existing flame after:
6:44 PM
   
Simchat Torah
Friday, October 25
Shacharit: 8:30 AM
Shema before: 9:59 AM
Hakkafot: 10:00 AM
Aliyot: 10:30 AM
Candle Lighting from a
pre-existing flame:
5:42 PM
Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv: 5:45 PM
   
Shabbat Bereishit
Saturday, October 26
Shacharit: 9:00 AM
Shema before: 10:00 AM
Mincha: 5:25 PM
Seudah Shelishit: 5:45 PM
Maariv: 6:31 PM
Havdalah: 6:41 PM

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Tue, November 5 2024 4 Marcheshvan 5785