Explore Sukkot & Simchat Torah
2023 JCC Holiday Observances
Sukkot
Saturday, September 30 | All facilities CLOSED
Simchat Torah
Saturday, October 7 | All facilities CLOSED
Sukkot
“Sukkot” is the Hebrew word for booths or huts. In singular form, a sukkah is a temporary structure with at least three sides and a roof that provides protection from the sun, but also allows the stars to be seen at night. These structures represent the temporary huts in which the Israelites dwelled during their 40 years of wandering after the exodus from Egypt. During the weeklong holiday, it is traditional to “dwell” in the sukkah as much as possible.
Ways to observe the holiday:
- The most popular tradition of Sukkot is building, decorating, and spending time (even sleeping) inside a sukkah. One can build a sukkah at home, visit a sukkah at a friend’s house or synagogue, or stop by the JCC Sukkah on the patio just outside the Marcus (West) Entrance.
- Shake the lulav and etrog! The lulav is a palm branch, which is joined with myrtle and willow branches, and an etrog is a citron fruit native to Israel, which is similar to a lemon. With these four species in hand, one recites a blessing and waves them in all six directions (east, south, west, north, up, and down).
- During Sukkot, we move from the introspective and solemn mindset of the High Holidays to unbridled joy amongst friends and family. It is the perfect holiday to spend some intentionally joyful time with others, even without easy access to a sukkah.
Simchat Torah
The holiday of Simchat Torah is all about “Rejoicing in Torah.” A different section of the Torah – a long, handwritten Hebrew scroll containing the entire text of the Five Books of Moses – is read each Shabbat throughout the year. Simchat Torah celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle. Simchat Torah conveys a clear message about the centrality of Torah in Jewish life and the joy it can bring to the Jewish community.
Ways to observe the holiday:
- Many individuals attend religious services where Torah scrolls are taken out and people are invited to spend the evening dancing, singing, and rejoicing. It is common practice to unroll the scroll completely so everyone can see the entire Torah, from start to finish. Once unrolled, the last words of the scroll in the book of D’varim (Deuteronomy) are read, immediately followed by the first words of the scroll in the book of B’reishit (Genesis). This represents the cyclical nature of reading the Torah each year.
- Synagogue on Simchat Torah is a place of joyful celebration for kids! This can be an especially enjoyable holiday for smaller children, who get to parade, ride on their parents’ shoulders during dancing, and delight in the festivities.
- For both Sukkot and Simchat Torah, an appropriate holiday greeting is “Chag Sameach” (KH-ahg Sah-MAY-akh), which means Happy Holiday!
Want to learn more about the holidays or how your family can connect with the JCC?
Explore PJ Library Milwaukee for young families raising Jewish or multi-faith children.
Contact Rachel Pressman at rpressman@jccmilwaukee.org to get connected to additional resources.
