08/28/2026
What's your Favorite Holiday?
In two weeks, Friday, September 11, at sunset we will welcome the new year of 5787 with a Rosh Hashanah dinner sponsored by Richard Lieberman!
We will kick off the High Holidays - a month of celebrations highlighted by the four holidays Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah.
These holidays touch on the full gammut of human experiences. With the days of Awe and the days of Joy.
Which of these High Holidays do you connect with most?
Is it the prayers and the stirring sound of the Shofar of Rosh Hashana?
Is it the fasting and reflection of Yom Kippur?
Is it the celebrations in the Sukkah?
Or is it the singing and dancing on Simchat Torah?
If I had to choose, it would probably be Simchat Torah.
Growing up in Brooklyn, attending the huge synagogue of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, each of these holidays were marked with intense experiences. Thousands came from around the world to celebrate.
The Rebbe inspired, guided, encouraged, taught, uplifted and helped us experience the depth of each day of the month.
The Rebbe many hours giving us honey cake, wine from Havdala, dollars for charity, booklets to study and lots of Kabbalistic and practical teachings.
But there's no question that the Apex and highlight of the holiday season was the joys of Simchat Torah. These 48 hours of singing, dancing, studying and teaching were what gave us the boost for the whole next year.
It was as if the reflection of Rosh Hashanah and the repentance and fasting of Yom Kippur were all meant to lead up to the joy of Sukkot and Simchat Torah.
Because true Joy reaches the depth of our being.
Because joy breaks all barriers.
True, we need the deep reflection of Rosh Hashanah to dig deep within ourselves, but once we feel that, we can, and should reach higher and and higher with joy.
Tomorrow we read the Torah section of Ki Tavo, which begins with the ritual of bringing the first fruits to the temple and gifting it to the Kohen.
Imagine you have a beautiful orchard of trees, you have invested much time and energy in cultivating the trees and protecting them from harm.
You finally get to see little buds of fruit, you can't wait to reach out and enjoy your first fruits.
But instead of enjoying it yourself, you're commanded to take those very first fruits and bring them to the Temple and gift them to someone in need.
How do we have the mindset to give away the first fruits of our labor? Well, as the Torah continues, when we bring the first fruits we make a statement of gratitude.
We thank Almighty G-d for gifting us the land and growing the fruit. When we are grateful, we are charitable and giving.
When we realize the the fruit, and life itself, is a gift we are more giving.
And that breeds joy.
As we continue reading in the Parsha, serving G-d with joy, doing Judaism joyfully, is what brings us the greatest blessings!
That's why the Kabbalist and the Chassidic masters, encouraged and inspired a positive and joyful attitude.
That's why Simchat Torah is the ultimate holiday!
So be sure to schedule all the holiday into your calendar.
But most importantly, Saturday Night, October 3, 7:00pm let's celebrate the gift of Torah. Let's celebrate the gift of being Jewish!
We will dance and celebrate, and enjoy a dinner sponsored by Stephanie Rosen and Lorreta Torres
Register now for all the High Holiday services and celebrations!
www.SantaFeJCC.com/Hholidays
We offer our heartfelt condolences to Michael Stern on the passing of his brother Yehudah Yitzchak ben Yisrael. May G-d comfort you among all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
We thank all the volunteers who came to cook and pack and deliver meals for the Kitchen of Kindness last night!
Next event will be Thursday, Sept. 17 santafejcc.com/kindness
Join us for services and dinner tonight at 7:00pm. Saturday 10:00am. RSVP
And don't forget to join the Jazz concert on Sunday at 12!
Light Shabbat Candles today at 7:18pm
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Berel and Devorah Leah Levertov
Rabbi Shmuel and Esther Itkin
https://youtu.be/KDANIAJObMQ
