Jewish Value Spotlight: Sukkot and the JFS Sukkah
You are invited to the new, one-of-a-kind JFS SUKKAH to celebrate SUKKOT
What is Sukkot (translated into English as “booths” or “huts”)?
It is a festival of Thanksgiving: for the food we harvest, the homes we live in, and for the natural world that surrounds us. The dates for Sukkot this year are October 4-11, 2017. SJSP and Big/Little Pals and their families are invited to a Sukkah Decorating Party on Sunday, Oct. 1st, 2:00-3:30, at JFS, 8788 Balboa Avenue, San Diego 92123.
What is a Sukkah?
It is a temporary booth (reminding us of the booth farmers erected in the fields during the harvest) where – for seven days - we eat, meet, gather with family and friends, and even recall the wisdom, faith and courage of our ancient ancestors. It is a mitzvah (commandment) to eat in the Sukkah!
What else do you during Sukkot?
Throughout the Sukkot holiday we fulfill the mitzvah of “shaking the lulav” in the Sukkah. The lulav is made up of 4 species: a palm, myrtle and willow branch and the wonderfully fragrant etrog (similar to a lemon). The lulav reminds us of the important connection between Sukkot, our natural world and the precious resources we take from our environment.
Why does Jewish Family Service have a Sukkah?
One of the most beautiful mitzvot associated with Sukkot is the commandment to “dwell in the Sukkah.“ (Leviticus 23:42,43). Sukkot is a wonderful time to practice the Jewish value of welcoming guests. That is one of the reasons why JFS has a Sukkah. As we sit together in our fragile, temporary Sukkah, we take note of every precious day and are thankful to be in the company of people who care about each other.
JFS Sukkah (Sneak Preview)
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October 4, 2017 | 6:00pm Sukkot Under the Stars – Temple Emanu-El Join us for an outdoor celebration in our courtyard. Reserve by October 2nd to purchase a dinner of pizza and salad for $10 per person. Or bring your own dairy or pareve picnic dinner – no reservation required. Our Klezmer Band, Honorable Menschen, will also be there to liven up the evening. The service starts at 6 pm, with dinner following at 7:30pm. A great evening for all ages. Call (619) 286-2555 for more information.
October 5, 2017 Do Something Nice Day On the heels of Yom Kippur, plan out something nice you can do for someone today, or several someones!
October 8, 2017 | 2:00-6:30pm Sukkot Festival – Coastal Roots Farm Join us for a fall harvest festival celebrating the four species.The event will include storytelling, live music, food vendors, rhythm and dance, lulav making, farm tours, art, and more! $15 suggested donation; all are welcome. Register at coastalrootsfarm.org/events or contact nora@coastalrootsfarm.org for details.
October 12, 2017 | 6:30pm Simchat Torah Family Service and Celebration – Tifereth Israel Synagogue Share the joy and celebration that surrounds the holiday that concludes our High Holy Day season. With music provided by Tifereth Israel’s Ad Hoc Polyphonic Klezmer Orchestra we’ll dance and sing throughout our hakafot (Torah processions). Together, we’ll rejoice and celebrate the conclusion of the reading of the Torah. The festivities are for all ages and not to be missed. Have you ever seen a Torah opened all the way? We’ll invite all of the children to sit on the floor while the adults unroll a scroll and surround them with the words of the Torah. This is always a spectacular site and a special memory for our children. Invite friends and family to enjoy the fun! Click here for more information.
October 14, 2017 Old Town's Fall Festival Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is kicking off the fall season with its annual free Fall Festival.The museums and merchants in the state park will be richly decorated and will host family friendly games, activities and entertainment reminiscent of an old-fashioned harvest celebration. A pumpkin-carving demonstration will take place from noon to 4:00 PM under a large shade tree in the center of the town plaza. Musical entertainment and face painting will also take place in the central plaza. Free craft activities will include pumpkin painting, corn shucking, environmentally friendly bird feeders and corn husk dolls in a specially decorated Harvest Home. Participating merchants in the state park will also have craft activities inside their stores. Click here for more information.
October 15 – 17, 2017 Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show – Del Mar Fairgrounds This festival includes 24,000 handmade American art & crafts in hundreds of booths, all day entertainment, and kids’ activity center. Each Harvest Festival features hundreds of artisans exhibiting American handmade items including beautiful jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, photography, original art, hand-turned wood, music, ceramics and much more. Enjoy three fun-packed days of shopping, stage and strolling entertainment, and festival food all for the price of one ticket. Remember to get your hand stamped to return as many times as you want without paying again. There's something for everyone in the family, including Kidzones with craft activities for the little ones in most venues. Click here for more information.
October 16, 2017 Dictionary Day Dictionary Day is in honor of Noah Webster, considered the Father of the American Dictionary. Noah Webster was born on October 16, 1758. The objective of this day is to emphasize the importance of dictionary skills, and seeks to improve vocabulary. Webster began to write his dictionary at the age of 43. It took him 27 years to finish it! In addition to traditional English vocabulary, it contained uniquely American words. Whether it is looking it up in the actual book, or using your app on your phone, learn some new words today.
October 18, 2017 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm Beth Israel Men’s Club Dinner Forum Rabbi Martin Lawson will be our guest speaker where he will discuss “Jewish Views of Bio-Ethics, difficult medical decisions and end-of-life issues.” This program is open to the entire San Diego Community, both men and women. Temple or Men’s Club membership is not a requirement to attend. A buffet dinner will be served. The dinner fee is $15.00 with an RSVP and $18.00 without registering in advance. You can RSVP below. If you wish to register via telephone, contact us at (858) 900-2598, or send us an email at cbimensclub@gmail.com. Click here for more information.
October 19 – 20, 2017 La Jolla Playhouse - Without Walls La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls (WOW) is four days of immersive and eclectic theatre for adventurous art lovers, thrill seekers and families. Now in its third outing, the festival lands in downtown San Diego from October 19 – 22! From the waterfront to Barrio Logan, artists from San Diego to Berlin will create vibrant, interactive experiences that amplify the energy of the city. You are invited to discover San Diego in new, unexpected ways in this unique festival where the city is the stage and you are both participant and performer. Click here for more information.
October 21 – 22nd | 10:00am-5:00pm San Diego Kids Expo & Fair – Del Mar Fairgrounds Expect to see 150 local and national companies that have products and services catered to kids and families. Meet instructors and coaches teaching karate, soccer and football. Or sign up for a gymnastics, talent or dance school. Pet a furry friend like a miniature donkey or touch exotic animals like a huge a snake! Help your budding scientist with experiments or building with one of our STEAMmakers. Let your child make an art masterpiece at a potting wheel or art activity. Ride the trackless train or take a break and catch a kid performance or Magic Show on our Central Park stage or a rockin' kids band at our outdoor Rock n' Roll stage. Help your kids stay healthy with dentist, chiropractic and wellness companies. Get a photo with your child’s favorite princess or movie character. There's so much to see and lots of free indoor activities! For the Outdoor Fair, get your wristbands and head outside. There will be zip lines, a Euro Bungee, a human hamster Ball or Xorbing Ball. Play a game of Lazer Tag or cool new video game in the Gaming Trailer! Or head to the treetops on the Coconut Climb! Got a little one? The inflatable Playland is the place for them, filled with lots of jumpies, mini Xorbing Balls and an obstacle course! Click here for more information.
Every Sunday - House of Israel – FREE! Visit this showcase of Israeli culture, history, and innovation in the heart of Balboa Park. Click here for more information.
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