by Reuven Fenton
posted 9/20/2006
In the wake of an intense set of High Holidays, Sukkot comes at the perfect time, when the autumn chill is perfect for reflection and peace of mind. Rest assured, there will be plenty of Sukkah parties (some on rooftops), dinners and lectures for you to partake in.
We recommend you try out a few of these events to get a true flavor of what makes this holiday so special in the city. On the eve of Simchat Torah (this year, October 14), when we celebrate the completion of the yearly cycle of Torah reading and begin it anew, there are cool happenings all over the city, but the heart of the action is on the Upper West Side. It is here that young Jews flock in droves to get a taste of this legendary scene, where urbanites dance in the streets with Chabad Yeshiva boys walking in from Crown Heights, and everyone is hoping to meet their bashert. Together, this colorful brew of Jews from all backgrounds hops from shul to shul, party to party, and often don’t quit until the sun comes up.
Sukkot
Enjoy a feast for the body and spirit at the 92nd Street Y. While you partake in a traditional Sukkot meal, scholars will give short stimulating talks on various Jewish topics, and offer several perspectives on this joyous time of year. Traditional prayers and lively melodies will bring in the warmth and glow of what makes Sukkot truly special. Vegetarian dinners are optional with phone reservations. (Oct. 6, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Lexington Ave at 92nd Street. $36 adults/$18 children; or 8 p.m. at the Makor/Steinhardt Center, 35 W. 67th St., $30. 212-415-5500, www.92y.org)
This year, Kehilath Jeshurun has several Sukkot events planned that will surely get your holiday spirit jumping. Here’s a couple worth looking into: On October 8, the synagogue will host “A Celebration in the Hut,” where participants can check out the Sukkah, shake the lulav and enjoy refreshments (4:30 p.m.). On October 11, KJ joins up with the National Jewish Outreach Program for its annual “Sukkah Dinner Under the Stars.” Rabbis Ephraim Buchwald and Elie Weinstock will share their words of wisdom as guests enjoy fine food and music. (7 p.m., $36/person, $60/couple, 125 E. 85th St. between Park and Lexington Avenues, 212-774-5678, beginners@ckj.org)
Picture it: With Manhattan buildings setting the scenery, you bask in the warmth of friends in a rooftop Sukkah. The JCC in Manhattan will cater to a 20s and 30s crowd who are eager to meet, greet and take in the pleasures of the holiday. Savory delights, including shashlik (eastern European shish kebab), will be served. Following that will be a screening of “Ushpizin,” the critically acclaimed Israeli film about an Orthodox couple who host a pair of escaped cons for the Sukkot feast. (Party Oct. 9, 7 p.m., $35. “Ushpizin” 7:30 p.m., $8 members $10 nonmembers. 646-505-5708, www.jccmanhattan.org)
For those seeking some food for thought, join the New Israel Fund for a luncheon and talk with Professor Michael Walzer, a leading American political theorist and professor of social science at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University. Professor Walzer’s books include “Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations” and “Politics and Passion: Toward a More Egalitarian Liberalism.” (Oct. 11, 12:30-2 p.m., Central Synagogue, 652 Lexington Ave. at E. 55th St., $25 pre-paid by October 10, ny@nif.org)
The Manhattan Jewish Experience will host its annual Sukkah on the Roof Party, an event that has garnered acclaim over the years as a hot spot for learning about Judaism and making lifelong friends. There will be plenty of singles, so keep your eye out for that someone special. Traditional food and music will be in abundance, as will wine and other beverages. This event is primarily for singles in their 20s and 30s, but all are welcome. (Oct. 9, 7 p.m., 131 W. 86th St., 212-787-9533, www.jewishexperience.org)
Simchat Torah
Make Saturday night come alive with food, drink and the celebration of Torah as Chabad-Lubavich of the Upper East Side teams up with congregation Kehilath Jeshurun for their “Fifth Annual Simchat Torah Street Festival.” While you dance the night away under the stars, Chabad will salt and pepper the evening with a special brand of spirit that only it can bring. (Oct. 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m., 419 E. 77th St. between First and York Avenues)
The night before Simchat Torah, The Actor’s Temple will have a special presentation by Daniella Granit, who took part in a survey of war damages in northern Israel, and who is involved in projects in that area (Oct. 13, 7 p.m.). The following night, the temple will hold a service and choral arrangement called “Cantata: What is Torah?” written by Judith Eisenstein, daughter of Mordechai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstruct Judaism. This will be followed by a Torah procession, singing and dancing. (Oct. 14, 8 p.m., 339 W. 47th St., 212-245-6975)
The celebration begins at dusk and doesn’t end till dawn at The West Side Institutional Synagogue each year, and this year will be no different. Join the warm inner circle of Rabbi Shlomo and Shira Einhorn and the whole congregation (a welcoming bunch) for all-night dancing with the Torah that will leave you blissful, exhausted and spiritually fulfilled. (Oct. 14-15, 120 W. 76th St., 212-877-7652)
Clarinets, violins and flutes will rattle the streets of downtown Manhattan as The Village Temple celebrates its annual Dancing in the Street Klezmer event. With 12th Street closed to traffic, everyone will be able to frolic as they never have before—with Sifrei Torah in tow. This is definitely one of the more spirited and original Simchat Torah events of the year. Holiday services will take place prior to the dancing. (Oct.14, 7 p.m., 33 E. 12th St.,212-674-2340, info@villagetemple.org)
posted 9/20/2006
In the wake of an intense set of High Holidays, Sukkot comes at the perfect time, when the autumn chill is perfect for reflection and peace of mind. Rest assured, there will be plenty of Sukkah parties (some on rooftops), dinners and lectures for you to partake in.
We recommend you try out a few of these events to get a true flavor of what makes this holiday so special in the city. On the eve of Simchat Torah (this year, October 14), when we celebrate the completion of the yearly cycle of Torah reading and begin it anew, there are cool happenings all over the city, but the heart of the action is on the Upper West Side. It is here that young Jews flock in droves to get a taste of this legendary scene, where urbanites dance in the streets with Chabad Yeshiva boys walking in from Crown Heights, and everyone is hoping to meet their bashert. Together, this colorful brew of Jews from all backgrounds hops from shul to shul, party to party, and often don’t quit until the sun comes up.
Sukkot
Enjoy a feast for the body and spirit at the 92nd Street Y. While you partake in a traditional Sukkot meal, scholars will give short stimulating talks on various Jewish topics, and offer several perspectives on this joyous time of year. Traditional prayers and lively melodies will bring in the warmth and glow of what makes Sukkot truly special. Vegetarian dinners are optional with phone reservations. (Oct. 6, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Lexington Ave at 92nd Street. $36 adults/$18 children; or 8 p.m. at the Makor/Steinhardt Center, 35 W. 67th St., $30. 212-415-5500, www.92y.org)
This year, Kehilath Jeshurun has several Sukkot events planned that will surely get your holiday spirit jumping. Here’s a couple worth looking into: On October 8, the synagogue will host “A Celebration in the Hut,” where participants can check out the Sukkah, shake the lulav and enjoy refreshments (4:30 p.m.). On October 11, KJ joins up with the National Jewish Outreach Program for its annual “Sukkah Dinner Under the Stars.” Rabbis Ephraim Buchwald and Elie Weinstock will share their words of wisdom as guests enjoy fine food and music. (7 p.m., $36/person, $60/couple, 125 E. 85th St. between Park and Lexington Avenues, 212-774-5678, beginners@ckj.org)
Picture it: With Manhattan buildings setting the scenery, you bask in the warmth of friends in a rooftop Sukkah. The JCC in Manhattan will cater to a 20s and 30s crowd who are eager to meet, greet and take in the pleasures of the holiday. Savory delights, including shashlik (eastern European shish kebab), will be served. Following that will be a screening of “Ushpizin,” the critically acclaimed Israeli film about an Orthodox couple who host a pair of escaped cons for the Sukkot feast. (Party Oct. 9, 7 p.m., $35. “Ushpizin” 7:30 p.m., $8 members $10 nonmembers. 646-505-5708, www.jccmanhattan.org)
For those seeking some food for thought, join the New Israel Fund for a luncheon and talk with Professor Michael Walzer, a leading American political theorist and professor of social science at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University. Professor Walzer’s books include “Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations” and “Politics and Passion: Toward a More Egalitarian Liberalism.” (Oct. 11, 12:30-2 p.m., Central Synagogue, 652 Lexington Ave. at E. 55th St., $25 pre-paid by October 10, ny@nif.org)
The Manhattan Jewish Experience will host its annual Sukkah on the Roof Party, an event that has garnered acclaim over the years as a hot spot for learning about Judaism and making lifelong friends. There will be plenty of singles, so keep your eye out for that someone special. Traditional food and music will be in abundance, as will wine and other beverages. This event is primarily for singles in their 20s and 30s, but all are welcome. (Oct. 9, 7 p.m., 131 W. 86th St., 212-787-9533, www.jewishexperience.org)
Simchat Torah
Make Saturday night come alive with food, drink and the celebration of Torah as Chabad-Lubavich of the Upper East Side teams up with congregation Kehilath Jeshurun for their “Fifth Annual Simchat Torah Street Festival.” While you dance the night away under the stars, Chabad will salt and pepper the evening with a special brand of spirit that only it can bring. (Oct. 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m., 419 E. 77th St. between First and York Avenues)
The night before Simchat Torah, The Actor’s Temple will have a special presentation by Daniella Granit, who took part in a survey of war damages in northern Israel, and who is involved in projects in that area (Oct. 13, 7 p.m.). The following night, the temple will hold a service and choral arrangement called “Cantata: What is Torah?” written by Judith Eisenstein, daughter of Mordechai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstruct Judaism. This will be followed by a Torah procession, singing and dancing. (Oct. 14, 8 p.m., 339 W. 47th St., 212-245-6975)
The celebration begins at dusk and doesn’t end till dawn at The West Side Institutional Synagogue each year, and this year will be no different. Join the warm inner circle of Rabbi Shlomo and Shira Einhorn and the whole congregation (a welcoming bunch) for all-night dancing with the Torah that will leave you blissful, exhausted and spiritually fulfilled. (Oct. 14-15, 120 W. 76th St., 212-877-7652)
Clarinets, violins and flutes will rattle the streets of downtown Manhattan as The Village Temple celebrates its annual Dancing in the Street Klezmer event. With 12th Street closed to traffic, everyone will be able to frolic as they never have before—with Sifrei Torah in tow. This is definitely one of the more spirited and original Simchat Torah events of the year. Holiday services will take place prior to the dancing. (Oct.14, 7 p.m., 33 E. 12th St.,212-674-2340, info@villagetemple.org)
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