The Jewish holiday of Sukkot (the festival of booths or huts) is Judaism’s most joyful and ecological holiday. To celebrate the holiday, many Jews build little open-air huts—called “sukkot”—and decorate them. Then for seven days we invite friends and family to come and eat, pray, sing, and chill out in the sukkot— and, maybe, even sleep there. The holiday is simultaneously a harvest festival, a remembrance of the huts that Israelites lived in during the years in the wilderness, and an ode to impermanence.
This year Germantown Jewish Center (GJC) is celebrating Sukkot with a SukkahFest from September 29 to October 3, which will include many ecologically centered programs that are open to the public. We invite you to come and experience the joy of “dwelling in the sukkah” with us. If you’ve been curious about Judaism or wondering about all the little huts that seem to pop up in your neighborhood just when the leaves are turning, please join us during the week of Sukkot.
For 5784’s schedule of events and more information about the many Sukkot programs happening all week, please keep reading!
Friday, September 29 at 6:00 PM:
Kol Zimrah Erev Shabbat and Erev Hag Musical Service with G’vanim
Join GJC’s musical ensemble for a memorable Friday evening service-a musical feast-that honors our connection to the natural world. The service is followed by a harvest oneg (light meal) in the Sukkah.
- Join us in-person in the Charry Sanctuary at GJC
- Watch the live stream by clicking here.
Saturday, September 30:
- 9:45 AM: Minyan Masorti Sukkot Day 1 and Shabbat Service
- 10:00 AM: Charry Service & Dorshei Derekh Sukkot Day 1 and Shabbat Service
- Mazal tov to Maya Peskin, daughter of Nina and Josh Peskin, on becoming Bat Mitzvah!
- 4:00 PM: Meditative Chanting Service with Binny Kagedan
- Binny Kagedan will be leading a meditative chanting circle, featuring original music and practices
that invite us to relax into our connection and belonging with the natural world and our oneness
with the Source of All.- Join us in-person in the GJC Sukkah
- Binny Kagedan will be leading a meditative chanting circle, featuring original music and practices
Sunday, October 1:
- 10:00 AM: Charry Service & Minyan Masorti Sukkot Day 2 Service
- 12:30 PM: GJC Celebrates Sukkot!
- Join GJC Families as we stroll through the woods and visit several sukkahs belonging to fellow GJC families. Each stop will have stories, snacks, and plenty of time to schmooze. Our relaxed afternoon starts with lunch at GJC and continues with an adventure celebrating Sukkot and honoring our connection to the earth. Note: GJC Celebrates! Programs are geared toward families with kids ages 6-12, but all are welcome!
- 4:00 PM: Sukkot Young Families Afternoon
- All GJC Young Families (those with at least one kiddo 5 and under) and ECP families are invited to the GoldMarche Gals’ Sukkah (Megan, Paige, Bri and Rori) for a Sunday afternoon
hang out. We will provide snacks and drinks, but additional snacks are welcome (vegetarian please). As long as the weather cooperates we will be in our sukkah and side yard with toys and chalk! Rain plan we will be indoors, please stay home if not feeling well! RSVP to Megan at megan@tribe12.org!
- All GJC Young Families (those with at least one kiddo 5 and under) and ECP families are invited to the GoldMarche Gals’ Sukkah (Megan, Paige, Bri and Rori) for a Sunday afternoon
- 5:30 PM: Scotch (and Sodas!) in the Sukkah with the GJC Men’s Club
- You are invited to a Family Friendly Dairy Potluck Dinner at the home of Denise Wolf and Paul Rudick. We will be celebrating Sukkot and an Eagles victory over the Washington Commanders. Come wearing your Eagles gear! We will tour of the Wolf/Rudick “farm” and visit the animals, and have a Scotch tasting. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring lawn chairs! Park on the street. This is a fair-weather event only. RSVP to jrm@meyeroneagle.com and include your cell phone # and your dish: (Green Salad/Side/Entree /(Dairy)/Dessert. Soft drinks, water, wine, and Scotch will be provided!
- 8:00 PM: Sukkah Celebration! in the sukkah of Viv and Yoni Stadlin
- Join Vivian and Yoni Stadlin with a song share and games designed to get us meeting each other feeling grateful and feeling silly! Open to the public. Rain cancels this event.
- Join us in the sukkah of Viv and Yoni Stadlin
- Join Vivian and Yoni Stadlin with a song share and games designed to get us meeting each other feeling grateful and feeling silly! Open to the public. Rain cancels this event.
Tuesday, October 3 at 7:30 PM:
Exploring Issues of Food Justice from a Jewish Perspective
- Join Rabbi Kelilah Miller in the Sukkah of Beth Janus and Seth Lieberman for an engaging exploration of food
justice issues.
Saturday October 7 at 4:00 PM:
Special Chanting of Ecclesiastes/Kohelet
- All are welcome to the Miller Sukkah on Saturday afternoon for chanting and reflecting on the themes of the book of Ecclesiastes beginning at 4 PM.
Questions? Please contact Kate Lawn, Program & Membership Director at program@germantownjewishcentre.org.