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Join us for this year’s High Holy Days!

Erev Selichot – Saturday, September 16
8:00PM – Program & Service

Erev Rosh Hashanah – Wednesday, September 20
8:00PM – Program & Service

Rosh Hashanah Morning – Thursday, September 21
9:30AM – Children’s Service
10:00AM – Morning Worship
2:00PM – Tashlich at Mill Creek Park

Kol Nidre – Friday, September 20
8:00PM – Service

Yom Kippur Day – Saturday, September 30
10:00AM – Morning Service
12:00-4:00PM – Study Session
3:00PM – Children’s Service
4:30PM – Afternoon Service
5:30PM – Yizkor
6:30PM – Ne’ilah

Join us as we celebrate Sukkot in October!

Erev Sukkot: Wednesday, October 4th, 6:00PM at Temple Beth El
Shabbat Sukkot: Friday, October 6th, 6:00PM at Congregation B’nai Jacob
Sukkot in the Courtyard*: Sunday, October 8th, 10:00AM-2:00PM at Temple Beth El
Simhat Torah Celebration: Friday, October 13th, 7:00PM at Temple Beth El

*Sukkot in the Courtyard features Lulav & Etrog, Singing, and Dancing. Lunch reservations are required. Please RSVP to the Temple Office or to Rabbi.

Sukkot (Feast of Booths or Tabernacles) is one of the three biblically based pilgrimage holidays known as the shalosh regalim. It is an agricultural festival that originally was considered a thanksgiving for the fruit harvest. Sukkot are hut-like structures that the Jews lived in during the 40 years of travel through the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. As a temporary dwelling, the sukkah also represents the fact that all existence is fragile, and therefore Sukkot is a time to appreciate the shelter of our homes and our bodies.

How is Sukkot celebrated?

Sukkot is celebrated by, first of all, building a sukkah. Jews are required to eat in the sukkah for eight days (seven days in Israel), and some even sleep in the sukkah for the duration of the holiday. The sukkah is decorated and the first day is considered a holy day in which most forms of work are forbidden. The rabbis dictated that arbat ha’minim (four species) should be held together and waved during the holiday. These are based on four plants mentioned in the Bible, and the rabbinic version includes the following: etrog (fruit of the citron tree), lulav (palm frond), hadas (leaves from the myrtle tree), and aravah (leaves from the willow tree). This waving ceremony was performed at the Temple in the ancient world.

The seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshanah Rabah. On that day in the synagogue Jews circle the room seven times while the arbat ha’minim are held and special prayers are recited.

What kinds of foods are eaten on Sukkot? 

There are no traditional Sukkot foods, except for kreplach (stuffed dumplings). Sukkot meal inspiration can come from the harvest origin of the holiday, and meals can include fresh fruits and vegetables, or other harvest-related ingredients. Of course, challah, chicken soup, and kugels are traditional Jewish foods that can be served on Sukkot (or any time of the year).

What is the proper greeting for Sukkot?

 To wish someone a Happy Sukkot, simply say “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday).

When is Sukkot?

On the Hebrew calendar, Sukkot starts on the 15th of Tishrei and continues until the 21st of Tishrei.

See the full post:https://toriavey.com/what-is-sukkot/#EEceGtgsUtVh6TCr.99

Dear Members: 

We may be small, but we are still Mighty! To get to know each other better, the Membership Committee would like to form a group of Havurot. If you would like to form a Havurah or would like to know of others who are interested in doing so, please contact us with your ideas. Following are suggestions that might interest you. 

• Camping
• Men’s Bridge Group
• Singles Group 
• Theater Group
• Travel
• Couples Bridge Group 
• Jewish Topics
• Los Angeles Theater
• Knitting
• Discussion Group
• Mexican Train 
• Photography 

If you are interested in forming a group mentioned above or are interested in other possibilities, contact Kathleen Arnold-Chambers at kckuke@yahoo.com or Charlotte Abrams at (661) 587-7706 or bubbichar@aol.com. 

The term “Havurah” is derived from the Hebrew word “Haver”, which means friend. 

Let us join together with our Friends in the TBE Community. 

Sincerely, 

Charlotte Abrams, Kathleen Arnold-Chambers and the Membership Committee 

Since our email regarding the Havurot, the members below have shown interest in the following: 

The Freedmans and the Sincoffs:  A group preferably with folks with kids ages 10-14. 
Marsha Parr and Patricia Bell: Jewish topics 
Marsha Parr: Travel 

Join us for a DELICIOUS day of matzo ball eating!
Temple Beth El’s first ever MATZO BALL COOKOFF!

Win prizes:
biggest matzo ball ($100)
People’s Choice ($100)
and the grand prize – Best Tasting Matzo Ball Soup ($200)

Click to register and participate
(Competition registration is $10)

This event is open to all.