The New Shul

Sukkot

The sages of the Mishnah taught that, for the seven days of Sukkot, we should see our homes as temporary and our sukkot — our temporary dwellings — as permanent. In other words, we should acknowledge that the things that we imagine are rock solid are in fact transient, and that the only thing that really lasts is temporariness. Nothing stays the same but change.

Why, then, is Sukkot a time of joy? What is joyful about the recognition that nothing lasts forever?

That recognition motivates us to live more purposefully, with more intensity and focus, because it clarifies what matters most here and now. It brings with it the joy of having our priorities in order.

That is the joy of Sukkot, one that arises naturally out of the work that we have done on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is the joy of using our time well. May this z’man simhateinu, this time of celebration, be a time of renewed purpose for all of us.

  • The New Shul’s Shabbat morning service is from 9 to about 11:45 am, followed by a kiddush-lunch open to all.
  • Minyanim during the week are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, and on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm. Kabbalat Shabbat is on Fridays at 6 pm (usually at our rabbis’ home – please contact us for directions). Please note that, on Monday and Tuesday Oct. 10 and 11, and Tuesday October 18, our regular weeknight minyanim will be at our rabbis’ home as well due to the holidays.
  • Our services for the first two days of Sukkot, Monday and Tuesday October 10 and 11, are from 9 am to about 11:45 am.
  • Our service for Sh’mini Atzeret, Monday October 17, is from 9 to 11:45 am, and includes Yizkor, the memorial prayer.
  • Join us on the night of Simhat Torah, Monday October 17 at 7 pm for hakafot and dancing.
  • Our service for the morning of Simhat Torah, Tuesday October 18, is from 9 am to about 12:15 pm.
  • Please note that there will be no weekly e-message next Thursday October 13. The next message will be on Thursday October 20.