Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, & Simchat Torah
Sukkot
Following the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur comes the celebration of Sukkot (literally meaning huts). Relating back to the times of the ancient Israelites wandering in the desert, this holiday is a time of great joy!
This year Sukkot starts on Wednesday, October 16th.
Sukkot on Campus
Around campus we have a number of sukkot, temporary huts, erected for the week-long celebration. Barnard College puts up a sukkah on the Barnard campus within close proximity of the kosher dining counter at Hewitt Dining Hall; many students and university community members eat their meals here throughout Sukkot. The Kraft Center’s sukkot are located on the third and sixth floor terraces – they are open as hubs of activity throughout the holiday!
The 3rd floor sukkah is available at all times that the Kraft Center is open. Come by to eat, study, and hang out at any time. The 3rd floor sukkah is not reservable and is open to all students.
Lulav & Etrog Purchase
The agricultural undertones of the holiday of Sukkot are demonstrated by taking four symbolic species:
Lulav (לולב) – a ripe, green, closed frond from a date palm tree
Hadass (הדס) – boughs with leaves from the myrtle tree
Aravah (ערבה) – branches with leaves from the willow tree
Etrog (אתרוג) – the fruit of a citron tree
Each year, we arrange for a vendor to set up in the Kraft Center for those who would like to procure a set of the four species. The vendor offers sets at multiple price points. Sets are priced based on the measure of the etrog’s Jewish legal “beautification”; all sets are perfectly kosher. Each set includes all 4 species.
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
Celebrate Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah with CBHillel! Check back here closer to the fall for more info on services, meals, and gatherings.
On campus our annual Simchat Torah celebration is a real highlight. Each religious group starts independently, and then we gather together as a larger community to share in the joy of the holiday, with multiple options for where and how to dance and celebrate. This great night always brings out hundreds of students from across campus for festive dancing and general merrymaking. Come dance with friends, carry a Torah scroll (maybe for the first time!), meet new people, or just enjoy our refreshments!
