Shalom chevre (friends)!
Chag Sukkot Sameach! Happy Sukkot, the holiday in which we commemorate our experience as wanderers in the wilderness and our connections to the natural cycles of the earth. So what better way, even in COVID, than to build a Sukkah in our very own backyard, the first one we’ve had IN YEARS, built by our very own Andy Elkins (THANK YOU ANDY!) and decorated with the help of Marilyn, Lenore, Michael, Nazam, and Rebecca Shapiro! The roof was covered in plants from our yard and the walls lit with lights, surrounding us in a serene and glowing energy. We are also deeply thankful to the generosity of Renee Rosman, daughter of our longtime beloved congregant Sylvia Rosman z”l, whose generous donation made this Sukkah possible, and we are even happier that we got to have her grandson, Adam and his wife Rachel join us as our newest CBJ members.
Mazal tov to us all!
The key mitzvah of Sukkot is to sit in the Sukkah, and ideally to have a meal. Please note that we have administrative hours at Bnai Jacob on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am-1pm. If you would like to have a meal in the Sukkah, or just take a few minutes to be in the Sukkah, please email Marilyn to let her know you’re coming. Her email is marilyn@bnaijacobjc.com. We also have extra Lulavs and Etrogs for anyone who would like to shake! (who doesn’t like to shake??) So please email Marilyn as well if you would like to have one!
For more information on the Lulav and Etrog, check out: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/lulav-and-etrog-the-four-species /
And don’t forget to say the blessing for sitting in the Sukkah!
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam Asher Kidshanu B’Mitzvotav Vi’Tzivanu Layshev Ba’Sukkah
ברוך אתה ה׳ אלוהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וציונו לישב בסוכה
Who has COmmanded Us and Made Us Holy Through Your Commandments, and Has COmmanded Us to Sit/Dwell in the Sukkah.
And if it’s your first time sitting in the Sukkah, don’t forget to say a Shehechiyanu (a blessing for FIRSTS!):
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam Shehechiyanu V’Kiyamanu Vi’Higiyanu LaZman HaZeh.
ברוך אתה ה׳ אלוהינו מלך העולם קהחינו וקימנו והגענו לזמן הזה
Praised are You, Source of the Universe, Who Has Kept Us Alive, Held Us Up, and Brought Us To This Very Moment.