Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah

Community Sukkah

The FTJC Sukkah will be at the Fort Washington Collegiate Campus, accessed via the back gate on Magaw Place.

Sukkah hours this year (2025):
First night: 6:00-9:00 PM
Yom Tovs: 1:00-9:00 PM
Chol Hamo'ed: 5:00-9:00 PM
Shemini Atzeret: 1:00-3:00 PM

Bathrooms are available when the building is open.

There is no sign-up or scheduling for meals. Just show up, be friendly, be considerate of those waiting, and be patient if necessary! It is also possible, if need be, to make kiddush and hamotzi inside the Sukkah and then continue eating outside it.

Please **clean up** and leave no trace, so we don't have skunks as ushpizin (guests)! No smoking; alcohol for making kiddush only. Please keep noise down in the evening, as the Sukkah stands next to an apartment building full of our neighbors.
 

Lulav and Etrog Orders
Deadline for pre-ordering via this form: Thursday October 5 at 11:59 PM.
Pickups: Sunday October 5, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM in the FWCC garden during sukkah construction. Please ask a friend to pick it up for you if you can't be there yourself at that time. We will not be able to hold it for you later or elsewhere.

Sukkah Construction
Sunday October 5, 9:00 AM onward
Fort Washington Collegiate Campus
Come by for a fun community gathering as we build and decorate our Sukkah. Lulav and etrog pickups will also be here at the same time and place.

Rimonim (Youth & Family) Programs

Sukkah Crafts & Decorations
Sunday October 5, 10:00 AM onward
Fort Washington Collegiate Campus
Join us in making paper chains, lanterns, and other crafts to decorate our community Sukkah! All ages welcome.

Board Games in the Sukkah
Saturday October 11, 2:00-4:00 PM 
Students in Shorashim (3rd - 5th grade) and Anafim (middle and high school) can drop by for board games and snacks in the Sukkah. Bring your favorite games to play with your friends! 

Simchat Torah Night!
Monday October 13
6:00 PM - Minchah and "Torah Tour" for Children and Grownups
7:00 PM - Ma'ariv and Hakafot
We celebrate the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle with dancing, singing, and fun -- sweets for children included.
 

Schedule of Services

Candle-lighting and Havdalah times (for Washington Heights and Inwood) may be found on the FTJC calendar.

Sukkot Day 1
Tuesday October 7, 9:00 AM
Children’s Services from 10:45 AM, ad hoc and parent-led if enough children are present.

Sukkot Day 2
Wednesday October 8, 9:00 AM
Children’s Services from 10:45 AM, ad hoc and parent-led if enough children are present.

Sukkot Day 3 (Chol Hamo'ed)
Thursday October 9, 7:00 AM 
Children’s Services: None

Sukkot Day 4 (Chol Hamo'ed)
Friday October 10, 7:30 AM 
Children’s Services: None

Shabbat Chol Hamo'ed Sukkot - with Kohelet.
Saturday October 11, 9:00 AM
Includes the reading of the megillah Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), a moving meditation on the dilemmas of leading a good and holy life.
Children’s Services from 10:45 AM, age groups will be combined.

Sukkot Day 6 (Chol Hamo'ed)
Sunday October 12, 8:00 AM 
Children’s Services: None

Hoshanah Rabbah (Day 7)
Monday October 13, 8:00 AM
Hoshanah Rabbah marks the seventh day of the Sukkot festival. We use our lulav and etrog for the last time in hakafot (processionals) and then beat the aravot (willows) against the ground to symbolize the elimination of sin from our lives.
Children’s Services: None

Shemini Atzeret – with Yizkor and Geshem
Tuesday October 14, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Yizkor at about 10:30 AM. Donations in honor of Yizkor may be made to FTJC by clicking here. Leading into Yizkor, we will spend a few minutes with readings and silence to commemorate the anniversary of the October 7 massacres and our experience of learning about it in shul on that day, two years ago.
Children’s Services: 10 AM to 11:30 AM

Shemini Atzeret: Listening Circle on October 7 and War
Tuesday October 14, 12:00-1:00 PM
North Room
Following services, community members are invited to regroup and reflect, sharing their emotions and perspectives. This session will not be a debate or discussion, but simply an opportunity to listen and be listened to in community. Rabbi Guy will facilitate.