Sukkot (Festival of Booths) celebrates the fall harvest and the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt.
During Sukkot, it is customary to hold daily celebrations in a sukkah and take the Arba Minim, the "Four Kinds;" a palm branch (lulav), two willows (aravot), a minimum of three myrtles (haddasim), and one citron (etrog) and shake them in a ritual (except on Shabbat).
Hoshana Rabbah (Great Salvation) is the seventh day of Sukkot and considered the final day of the divine “judgment” in which the fate of the new year is determined.
Shemini Atzeret (Day of Assembly) features the prayer for rain, commemorating what would be the start of the rainy season in Israel, and includes the Yizkor (Memorial) Service, connecting us to loved ones and friends who have died.
Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah) marks the conclusion of the reading of the Torah. It is customary to dance in circles (hakafot) with the torah scrolls and for every person to take part in the celebration by receiving an aliyah.
Special Celebrations & Honors: On Simchat Torah, we recognize OKC members who have rendered exceptional service to our congregation. This year we honor Sandy Walter as Kallat Torah, Natalie Graham as Kallat B’reishit, and David Julian Gray as Hatan Maftir. They have dedicated themselves to creating connections within our community and their collective presence, leadership, advocacy, talents, and creativity have enriched us all. Read more about our honorees HERE.
Adult Programs
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HAZAK: Brunch in the Sukkah with the Rabbi
Thursday, October 9, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
OKC Sukkah
Join us for our annual festive brunch in the Ohr Kodesh Sukkah. This year, we will feature Harvey Leifert’s stories about his recent visit to Jewish historic sites in eastern Europe. Registration closes September 30th.
Evening Book Group: 10/7: 100 Human Stories
Thursday, October 9, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
OKC Sukkah A special in-person gathering of the Evening Book Group to discuss journalist, Lee Yaron's, powerful collection of personal accounts that shed light on the human experience surrounding the events of October 7. Members of the community who have read the book are invited to join the discussion.
The OKC Sukkah Hop
Saturday, October 11, 1:45 - 5:00 pm Sukkot in the OKC Neighborhood
Choose one of multiple routes around the neighborhood and then join all together at the end. Registration coming soon!
Suggested Readings for the Holidays:
- The Jewish Holidays: A Guide & Commentary by Michael Strassfeld
- Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People, and Its History by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
- The Book of Our Heritage: The Jewish Year and Its Days of Significance by Eliyahu Kitov
- Books about the Jewish holidays are also available in the Salzberg Family Library
Youth & Family Activities
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Rhythm n Ruach with Auntie A
Tuesday, October 7, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Preschoolers and their families are welcome to join Auntie A for this musical celebration of Sukkot, the season of our joy. Shake a lulav and dance!
Friday Night Lights in the Sukkah (8th - 12th graders)
Friday, October 10, 6:00 pm
Rabbi Helfand's Sukkah
Come out for a special teen-only Shabbat evening with Rabbi Helfand and his family. Join evening services, followed by Shabbat dinner and some learning and singing together. Registration coming soon!
Simchat Torah Family Hakafot with Rabbi Helfand
Tuesday, October 14, 6:00 - 6:45 pm
Back Patio Tent
A joyous celebration of learning and the completion and beginning of the cycle of reading the Torah.
The Great Zucchini!
Wednesday, October 15, 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Cohen Chapel
OKC's Annual Simchat Torah magic show for families with young children - 7 and under. Older children are welcome, but they are asked to sit in the back.
