Celebrating Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Community

Now that we have finished the highest of our High Holidays, we can enjoy the hidden jewel of the Jewish fall festivals: Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Sukkot is a 7-day festival which commemorates both the Jewish people’s journey through the desert in the form of dwelling in sukkot (temporary wooden booths) and the fall Biblical agricultural harvest, in the form of waving the lulav and etrog. At the end of Sukkot, Simchat Torah celebrates the turning over of our Torah scrolls as we return the Torah from the end of Deuteronomy, back to the beginning of creation, Genesis.

Simchat Torah is one of my favorite holidays as it elevates the holiness of our everyday Torah while reminding us just how accessible the Torah’s wisdom truly is. Come see the Torah as it’s rolled out and rolled back! Everyone who wishes can receive an aliyah, and Yizkor will also be recited afterwards. This year we will celebrate Simchat Torah on Sunday, October 4 th at 10am. Our holiday service will also coincide with the Rabin Religious School’s weekly attendance so I am rather excited for a strong and vibrant turnout.

Lastly, I would like to make a personal appeal for donations and volunteer opportunities on behalf of the Community Wide Meal at Trinity Church in Plattsburgh. For those who might be unfamiliar, the entire greater Plattsburgh community is welcome to enjoy a weekly meal, every Thursday, at no cost. Meal service is held from 3:00-5:00 for dine-in/take-out and 5:00-5:30 for take-out only. As our Trinity Church brothers and sisters have taken on the responsibility to maintain and organize this tremendous mitzvah every week, I am asking members from our TBI community to please consider making a charitable gift: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/XMWJCQJSYRNQC, or volunteer to help prepare or serve meals. During particularly busy weeks, more than 150 meals are served. In the new year, I hope to highlight the Community Wide Meal at Trinity Church more as I truly value all who make this miraculous feat possible.

Chodesh tov/Happy New Month,

Rabbi David Joslin