Repenting is finally over – let the rejoicing begin!
If you think you’re tired from 10 days of spelling out your sins, imagine how the children of Israel felt wandering through the wilderness for 40 years! All that walking in the hot, hot desert and not a drop of rain to boot? (Had biblical scribes been to Los Angeles?) Without shelter, the Jewish people built Sukkahs in which to wine and dine away the drudgery of wandering. Today, we commemorate their journey by building our own Sukkahs where we eat festive meals under a starry sky. In the Sukkah, ordinary acts become holy and in that sacred space, we are connected to four thousand years of history.
If you have a backyard, you can build your own but if space is scarce and you still want to celebrate, here are some creative ways to satisfy your soul:
The Sumptuous Sukkah
Wednesday, Sept. 26
1200 square feet of hanging fruits, ripe red apples and flowing honey – that’s what you’ll find in LA’s largest Sukkah. There will be honeycake and sweet wine, fresh fruit and lots of fun. 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Free. The Chai Center, 115 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles. (310) 391-7995 www.chaicenter.org
A Smokin’ Sukkah
Sunday, Sept. 30
The young and hip will be draped in white, steaming with the smoky fog of hookah in the sukkah at this sexy middle-eastern experience. 7 p.m. $20, ladies are 2-for-1 until 9 p.m.
Simcha Hall at Nessah Synagogue, 142 South Rexford Drive,
Beverly Hills. www.nessah.org
The Sukkah of Shalom
Sunday, Sept. 30
A festive and fun Sukkot Carnival for the whole family. Fresh grilled bbq, waterslides, carnival games and a special treat for summer camp alum – singing with Robbo! 1-5 p.m. $10.
Camp JCA Shalom, 34342 Mulholland Highway, Malibu. (818) 889-5500. www.campjcashalom.com
The Shabbat Sukkah
Friday, Sept. 28
YABA-daba-doo! Celebrate Sukkot with Young Adults of Beth Am who will host Shabbat dinner in the Sukkah preceded by a warm holiday service at Neshama Minyan. 5.45 p.m. (service), 7 p.m. (dinner). $10. Temple Beth Am, 1039 South La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles. (310) 652-7354 x 230. RSVP to yaba@tbala.org
The Sukkah with a Social Conscience
Saturday, Sept. 29
At this intercultural/interfaith festival, two traditions will celebrate common ground. A group from the Islamic Center of Southern California and MPAC-PJA NewGround Project will join IKAR’s Jewish community to celebrate the unique calendar moment when the Jewish month of Tishrei coincides with the Muslim month of Ramadan, a period in which Muslims fast during daylight hours. As part of IKAR’s “Religion in the City” program, this one-of-a-kind event combines Sukkot, the traditional iftar (in Islam, the evening meal breaking the daily fast), a Shabbat seudat shlishit, the Maghrib prayer (recited at sunset), and Havdalah â all in the sukkah! 6:30 p.m. Westside JCC, 5870 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870. www.ikar-la.org
The Sukkah for Social Justice
Sunday, Sept. 30
Spread your picnic blankets over the lawn for an evening of stimulating discussion with scholars and activists on the theme of housing and homelessness. Afterwards, there will be eating, drinking, singing and children’s activities. 3-5 p.m. Progressive Jewish Alliance. Roxbury Park, 471 S. Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills. R.S.V.P. to office@pjalliance.org or call (323) 761-8350
The Secular Sukkah
Sunday, Sept. 30
Celebrate the harvest by helping to build the sukkah. Bring harvest snacks like fruits and nuts to hang from the sukkah and to share with the community. All are welcome. 12-1 p.m. Sholem Community, Culver City Middle School, 4601 Elenda Street, Culver City. (818) 760-6625. www.sholem.org
The Schicker’s Sukkah
Monday, Oct. 1
Where can you find beer, Monday Night Football and a sukkah all in the same place? At ATID’s Sukkot Sports Bar. One of the more interesting ways to fulfill the mitzvah of dining in the Sukkah is this modern spin on tradition for the young professional set.
7 p.m. $10 (members) $15-$20 (nonmembers). Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3244.
Chag Sameach!
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