The concluding days of the holiday month are upon us, and what could be a more fitting way to commemorate this occasion than by joyously dancing with the Torahs? Simchas Torah marks the culmination of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, and during this vibrant celebration, we embody the Torah's essence as we dance exuberantly around the Shul. It's a time to revel in our achievement and embrace the Torah's teachings.
Throughout the year, we've diligently studied the weekly Torah portions. On Simchas Torah, we read the final section with immense joy, accompanied by songs, lively dances, and toasts to life, l’chaim! Following the nighttime festivities on tomorrow night, Saturday, October 7th, we reconvene at the Shul in the morning for more jubilation. After another (much shorter) round of Torah dancing, we read the concluding portion of the Book of Devarim and then, without pause, we embark on a new cycle by starting afresh from the beginning with the Book of Bereishis.
Simchas Torah is not just a celebration of the end of one cycle; it's also a jubilant embrace of the new one commencing immediately. We emphasize that Torah must be an integral part of our lives at all times.
Just as life flows steadily, so does the pursuit of Torah knowledge. What better moment to commit to a consistent Torah study routine than during the celebration of Torah itself? We invite you to explore the diverse Torah study opportunities available at Chabad, and please inform us when you plan to join us.
- Monday evenings, Starting November - HalachaU, Laws of Cooking on Shabbos
- Tuesday, monthly Lunch and Learn, topic and date TBA
- Tuesdays, The World of Kabbala, Oct. 31-Dec. 5, 7:30-9 pm
- Wednesdays - CYP Academy Meditation from Sinai, Oct. 11 - Nov. 1, 7:30-9 pm
- Thursday - Gates of Trust, conquering anxiety, weekly 8-9 pm
- Shabbos mornings, 9 am - Torah Or, Kabbala of the Parsha, weekly 9-10 am (besides Shabbos mevarchim)
We eagerly anticipate the privilege of studying and celebrating with you!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
- Last weekend the sukkah was jammed packed with guests rolling through the Sukkah for dinners and lunches, Friday - Sunday. Sorry no pics in observance of the holiday.
- On Saturday, the second night we joined forces with the Moishe House for an amazing upbeat dinner in the Sukkah!
- Levi's friends from Yeshivah came to visit, with the seven boy's making the shul overabundant joy. They also hit the streets finding over a number of customers on Friday before the holiday to wrap tefillin and over 40 to shake lulav and esrog on Sunday!
- On Sunday, the residents at the Brookdale Galleria Senior Living center got to make a blessing on the sukkah Levi helped us put up and shake the lulav and etrog!
- Lulav and Esrog Shaking continued all week in and out of the Chabad House!
- On Tuesday, we had our monthly Lunch and Learn, although it was raining we managed to shake the lulav and take a bite to eat before moving inside for the class.
- Check out the Communtiy Sukkos Pics here, the YJP party here.
- On Wednesday, Jewish Young professionals had a Sukkah BBQ party, a joint project of J-Hype and YJP Houston with Authentic Texas Smoked Meat BBQ by the Kosher Smoke Shack, Open Bar, Great Music, Great People, and Lulav & Etrog Shaking! Check out the photos from Hagit Bibi Photography: Click here
- ARE YOU READY FOR SIMCHAS TORAH?! Schedule below
Upcoming Events:
- Fri.-Sun., Oct. 6-8 - Simchas Torah www.chabaduptown.org/joy
- Friday, Oct. 6, 6:45 pm YJP First Fridays Shemini Atzeres Pink Edition www.yjphouston.org/pinkatzeres, Simchas Torah warm-up brief dancing and dinner in the sukkah
- Sat. Oct. 7, 6:45 pm Saturday Night Alive! Dance Like a Star! The real deal, dance until you drop!
- Wednesdays, Oct. 11-Nov 1 | 7:30 pm - CYP Academy 4-Part Course - Meditation From Sinai: Jewish Spirituality: Mindful awareness and Divine spirituality to help you think, feel, and live more deeply. Join us on our 4-week journey over delectable dinner, connecting with our inner selves, and becoming mindful of the world around us, with the secrets that the Jewish people have had for over 3000 years. COST: $36 Registration Required. Complimentary access for CHAI Club Members, Use Coupon Code “chai”. www.yjphouston.org/meditation
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
Fri., Oct. 6 - Shemini Atzeret
- Lulav & Etrog Available for public use unti Shabbat begins
- 6:44 pm Light Holiday Candles
- 6:45 pm Mincha & Evening Services Hakafot-celebratory dancing - This one is only the warm up - to connect with Israel! (See main hakafot below).
YJP First Fridays Shemini Atzeres Pink Edition www.yjphouston.org/pinkatzeres
Shabbos., Oct. 7 -
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
- 10:00 am Morning Services
- 12:15 pm Yizkor
- Teffilas Geshem
- Say Goodbye to Sukkah
- 6:45 pm Mincha & Evening Services Grand Hakafot-celebratory dancing - This one is the real deal!
- After 7:36 pm Light Holiday Candles
Sun., Oct. 8 - Simchat Torah
- 10:00 am Morning Services
Hakafot-celebratory dancing
Mincha after Hakafot
- 7:35 pm Maariv, Havdalla & Holiday Ends