Sukkot: This seven-day festival (eight days in the Diaspora) celebrates the abundance of the fall harvest and commemorates the 40 years the Jewish people wandered in the desert after the exodus from slavery. The sukkah, a temporary three-sided dwelling covered with leafy branches, gives the holiday its name. The sukkah is a reminder of the temporary dwellings our ancestors in ancient Israel used for shelter in the fields during the harvest, as well as the booths they lived in for 40 years in the desert. The festival has two additional main symbols: the lulav and etrog. The lulav consists of palm, myrtle and willow branches bound together. The etrog is a citron, a yellow citrus fruit that looks and smells like a bumpy lemon. It is traditional to bless the Four Species (the lulav and etrog held together) while waving them towards the four compass points, heaven and earth on each day of the holiday except Shabbat.
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (Oct. 24-25) The days immediately following the end of the festival of Sukkot are the semi-independent holidays Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Some liberal congregations celebrate both in one day as Atzeret-Simchat Torah. These two holidays formally end the season of the High Holy Days. The Torah is a central symbol of Simchat Torah as we read the final verses of Deuteronomy, then immediately recommence the cycle by reading the opening verses of Genesis. The celebration of the annual cycle includes marching around the synagogue with Torah scrolls and flags.
9:00am Shemini Atzeret/Yizkor Service, Stampfer Chapel
Night Erev Simchat Torah: Oktorahfest! 6:00pm dinner by reservation;
7:00pm Ma’ariv/Hakafot open to all, Birnbach Hall
9:30 am: Sh’mini Atzeret Service (includes Yizkor)
5:30 pm: Simchat Torah Celebration
Temple Beth Israel, 1175 East 29th Avenue, Eugene, OR
Info: www.tbieugene.org. 541-485-7218 info@tbieugene.org
Oktorahfest:
An Erev Simchat Torah Celebration
Monday, October 24
6:00pm Dinner / 7:00pm Service
Join us in celebrating 1111 years of Jewish Bavarian life and culture. At 6:00pm, there will be a German-style dinner by reservation (tinyurl.com/simchat5777). At 7:00pm there will be a Ma’ariv service & Hakafot with a live band. The service, beer and snacks are free and open to the community.
9:00am Simchat Torah Morning Service, Stampfer Chapel
Simchat Torah Service
Temple Beth Israel, 1175 East 29th Avenue, Eugene, OR
Info: www.tbieugene.org. 541-485-7218 info@tbieugene.org
Beit Haverim celebrates Sukkot with a morning service led by Rabbi Alan Berg.
GALA CELEBRATION
WHAT: 2016 Election Edition, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland annual gala
WHEN: 7 pm, Oct. 26
WHERE: Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland
WHY: Hear dynamic insights into the election and celebrate the federation, which has been uniting, serving and supporting the Jewish community locally and globally since 1920. The evening’s nostalgic Americana theme will feature red, white and blue popcorn, and a festive atmosphere.
WHO: Keynote speaker Jeffrey Goldberg is a recipient of the National Magazine Award for Reporting. Before joining the Atlantic, he was a Middle East correspondent and the Washington correspondent for The New Yorker. He has also written for the New York Times Magazine, Jewish Daily Forward and The Jerusalem Post.
TICKETS: $60 includes cocktails and dessert; $35 for first 100 under age 35
RSVP by Oct. 14: 503-892-7413 or jewishportland.org/gala
Learn the basics of Improv Theater! Students will learn short-form games that teach the skills of listening and responding, working together as a group to create a story on the spot, and building self-confidence. The class will be working towards a demo that showcases their favorite improv games, and shows off their new comedy chops!
Thursdays starting Oct. 13 – December, no class Nov. 24; 3:45 – 4:45pm
Cost: $95/student; CG 108
In partnership with PJA and the NW Children’s Theater and School
Simchat Torah at Beit Haverim: Join Rabbi Berg and Cantor Ann Brown for a joyous Simchat Torah service.
Be sure to bring the children to see the whole Torah opened and stretching around the entire sanctuary!