Don’t miss the real High Holydays!
Wait a second, didn’t we just finish Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Should we already be preparing for 2026?
Well, yes and no. (Go ahead and mark your calendar: Rosh Hashanah 2026 is Friday night, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, and Yom Kippur 2026 is Sunday night, September 20 - Monday the 21st.)
But the truth is, the High Holydays aren’t over yet.
Most people think they begin and end with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. But dare I say, the real High Holydays are Sukkos and Simchas Torah.
On Rosh Hashanah, we crown Hashem as King, recognizing His sovereignty as the true force in the world.
On Yom Kippur, we reveal the deepest essence of our souls, reconnecting with who we truly are.
However, all of that remains lofty, spiritual.
Enter Sukkos, where the inspiration comes down to earth. We don’t just keep G-d in our prayers; we invite Him into our homes, our meals, our celebrations. We eat, laugh, and live inside the sukkah, bringing holiness into the very fabric of daily life.
And then comes Simchat Torah, the celebration of ultimate joy. It’s not just about what we believe, but about who we are at our core. On this day we recognize that our relationship with Hashem is not an add on to life, not a layer sitting on top of our identity, it is our very essence. The bond is so strong, so real, that it defines us completely. That’s why we allow ourselves to dance with abandon, openly and with unity, celebrating not only the Torah but the truth of who we are. This is the culmination and essence of the High Holidays: the moment we don’t just experience holiness, we become it.
Think of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as reconciling who we are and Sukkos and Simchas Torah celebrate it.
So don’t stop at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Join us for Sukkos Services, the Sukkah Open House (with a special kid’s program!), Torah Studies in the Barnett’s Sukkah, Yizkor Service and Simchas Torah Hakafos Party and the finishing of reading the Torah, rolling it back to the beginning, and celebrating with more dancing and joy.
These are true High Holiday moments. You don’t want to miss them. Join us as we celebrate who we are.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman