festival celebrations
We observe the sacred occasions of the Jewish year each season. Our prayer services and events for each Jewish holiday feature their unique ritual symbols and commemorations. Throughout the year, our observances include opportunities for all ages to share in the particular spirit and meaning of every holiday.
CELEBRATING SUKKOT
October 10 thru 18, 2022 (Erev Sukkot October 9)
Sukkot is a time of thanksgiving and hospitality when we celebrate the natural bounties of our world and all that sustains our lives. Immersed in the joys of community, environmental awareness and gratitude to God, we also demonstrate sensitivity to others and their needs for shelter and well-being.
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SUKKOT Festival Morning ServiceS
Join with our Congregation Beth El community in the joy of celebrating Sukkot at Festival Services, communal meals, and holiday programs.
Festival Morning Services on October 10 & 11 touch our imaginations as we gather inside the Sukkah sitting around tables to share insights, teachings, and brief discussions along with our recitation and festival prayer. We’ll wave Lulav and Etrog and enjoy holiday time together.
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Hol HaMoed Sukkot Shabbat Services
The Talmudic sage Rabbi Haninah thought the whole world should celebrate Sukkot. He taught that the redeemed world of goodness and peace we all seek can only come when every nation accepts this truth.
It’s an ideal of universal hope rooted in the particular experiences of every community and nation.
This is Sukkot’s charm. This holiday of moving outdoors into the world sees happiness and joy for all of humanity.
On Hol HaMoed Sukkot, the Biblical texts we read imagine a world of harmony between the nations.
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chai sukkot HIKE
Head out to Cuyamaca State Park for a moderate/strenuous hike. The chill of the mountains will help us usher in the fall season in San Diego. RSVP to david@cbe.org. Meeting location will be emailed to all registrants.
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Sukkot Cinema
Join us in the Sukkah to enjoy an outdoor film, each other’s company, and movie snacks. We’ll be screening the film The Women’s Balcony.
(General audience).
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Why Do Jewish? 21st Century Jewish Peoplehood
Please attend from your own Sukkah or home.
How do we live more meaningful lives in an era when we can choose our own identities? Why might we choose to affirm our place among the Jewish people? Zack Bodner is a seeker, writer, storyteller, and community organizer. As CEO of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA he has developed an answer he believes to be compelling that he would like to share with us.
One aspect of the Sukkot festival is to gather together in Jewish community and consider shared concerns and needs. Historically, Sukkot was a time of great community meetings. This is the purpose of our Sukkot Symposium, to honor the holiday we celebrate by thinking together about who we are and what is our role in the larger world.
Zack Bodner holds an MA in Philosophy of Religion and Theology from Claremont Graduate University and is a graduate of Yale University. He writes regularly for a variety of Jewish publications and is active in a variety of Jewish organizations and efforts.
YOUNG FAMILY SHABBAT
Service | 5:45 pm
Dinner | 6:15 pm
Join us for a very special Young Family Shabbat in our beautiful Sukkah! We’ll celebrate Shabbat and Sukkot with songs, stories, and a family friendly service. After the service, we will enjoy a Shabbat dinner in the Sukkah together.
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Shabbat & Sukkot Community Dinner
On Sukkot we place ourselves into the Sukkah, the temporary dwelling space that we call home for a little over a week.
Joining with family and friends, we take time to dwell together in Sukkot, celebrating as the Israelites did during Temple times. We continue our ancestors’ tradition of demonstrating gratitude and sharing our blessings with others.
This Shabbat Hol HaMoed Sukkot, join us for a spirited communal dinner in the Sukkah following our Shabbat Festival service.
$25 adults, $18 children 5 and up.
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Sukkah Sleepover
Saturday, October 15 through Sunday, October 16
7:00 pm
Grades K-6 are invited for an evening of games, activities and community. 4-6th graders are invited to stay to watch a movie and sleep under the stars in the Sukkah. We will have a late night snack and breakfast the following morning. K-3rd graders will not sleep over.
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Guests in the Sukkah
It is customary on Sukkot to welcome guests, Ushpizin, into the Sukkah. With the help of our children and their families, this morning we’ll welcome special Ushpizin, our favorite book, television, and superhero characters!
Rabbi Shulman & Rabbi Libman will lead us in sharing Sukkot traditions with
our Ushpizin friends. We’ll participate in holiday activities and enjoy a delicious
holiday lunch in the Sukkah together.
This program is open to all and is particularly fun for kids 10 and under, and their families.
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CELEBRATING SIMHAT TORAH
Shemini Atzeret Service
Shemini Atzeret concludes our Sukkot holiday with a Festival Morning Service when we mark the Fall season and remember our loved ones during Yizkor Memorial Prayers. We enjoy a holiday meal together after services. Please RSVP for the luncheon below.
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Simhat Torah Celebration
Monday, October 17
5:30 – 8:30 pm
We rejoice and dance with our children in the reading of Torah.
5:30 pm | SimTot Torah – Our families and young children celebrate Torah
with songs, Torah stories, and family fun. All ages welcome!
6:45 pm | Hakafot – Torah Parades, Torah Tour, & Torah Reading for all ages
7:30 pm | Torah Treats – Dessert and Israeli Dancing
7:30 pm | Simhat Torah L’Chaim for adults 20’s/30’s
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Simhat Torah Service
We continue to celebrate our heritage of Torah at a joyous Festival Morning Service.
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