A Parent's Guide

A Parent's Guide to Sukkot & Simchat Torah

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 1 hag Sameach!!! (Happy Holiday). Please enjoy this booklet to use at home with Cyour child. We hope that you will share in the learning that takes place at the Tucson JCC. This booklet is intended to expand your knowledge on the Jewish holidays, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, and to give you some great ideas for fun activities that will help you reinforce the holiday at home. Enjoy!

SUKKOT

Significance

Sukkot is a time of rejoicing in the fall harvest. It is also the holiday that commemorates the way that G-d commanded the Jewish people to build huts similar to the huts used by the Israeli pioneer farmers during harvest time.

Observance

Sukkot is a 9 day holiday that lasts from the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei to the 21st day of Tishrei. The first and last two days are the primary days of the festival. Huts or "sukkahs" covered with leaves , slats or other natural materials are constructed for dwelling during the holiday. Many people observe the holiday be eating meals in the sukkah, but in warmer climates, people often spend the entire day and night in the sukkah.

Four different kinds of plants and fruits are held together and shaken to symbolize Jewish unity. They are: lulav (palm branch), etrog (citrus), hadasim (myrtle branches) and aravot (willow branches).

SIMCHAT TORAH

Shemini Atzeret Significance

Tishri 22, the day after the seventh day of Sukkot, is the holiday Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is also the holiday of Simchat Torah. Outside of Israel, where extra days of holidays are held, only the second day of Shemini Atzeret is Simchat Torah: Shemini Atzeret is Tishri 22 and 23, while Simchat Torah is Tishri 23.

Shemini Atzeret Observance

Shemini Atzeret marks the beginning of the rainy season following the harvest in Israel. The prayer for rain, Tefilat Geshem, is the only ritual that is unique to Shemini Atzeret.

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 2 Simchat Torah Significance

Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in the Torah." This holiday marks the completion of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings. Each week in synagogue we publicly read a few chapters from the Torah, starting with Genesis Ch. 1 and working our way around to Deuteronomy 34. On Simchat Torah, we read the last Torah portion, then proceed immediately to the first chapter of Genesis, reminding us that the Torah is a circle, and never ends.

Simchat Torah Observance

This completion of the readings is a time of great celebration. There are processions around the synagogue carrying Torah scrolls and plenty of high-spirited singing and dancing in the synagogue with the Torahs.

As many people as possible are given the honor of an aliyah (reciting a blessing over the Torah reading); in fact, even children are called for an aliyah blessing on Simchat Torah. In addition, as many people as possible are given the honor of carrying a Torah scroll in these processions. Children do not carry the scrolls (they are much too heavy!), but often follow the procession around the synagogue, sometimes carrying small toy Torahs (stuffed plush toys or paper scrolls).

In some synagogues, confirmation ceremonies or ceremonies marking the beginning of a child's Jewish education are held at this time. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are holidays on which work is not permitted.

CARAMEL APPLES FOR SIMCHAT TORAH

It has become traditional to eat caramel apples on Simchat Torah. The holiday always takes place in fall, and it has been said that you can stick the caramel apple on the top of your Simchat Torah flag. It is a delicious treat children of all ages enjoy!

Caramel Apple Recipe

INGREDIENTS  8 large apples

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 3  8 chopsticks or craft sticks  2 cups packed light brown sugar  1 3/4 cups heavy cream  3/4 cup dark corn syrup  2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick)  2 teaspoons kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash the apples under hot water to get off any wax coating, then dry thoroughly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside. Set the apples stem side up, and push the sticks down into the apple cores; set aside. Prepare an ice water bath by filling a bowl halfway with ice and water.

2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until the mixture registers 250°F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Immediately dip the bottom of the saucepan in the ice water bath and let it chill until the bubbles have subsided, about 1 minute. Stir until stiff caramel from the bottom is incorporated into the warm caramel on top. Remove from the water bath.

3. Dip the apples one at a time into the caramel, rotating once to coat 3/4 of the way up the sides. Lift the apple straight up from the caramel, letting the excess drip back into the pot until the drips have slowed, about 10 to 15 seconds. Flip the apple so the stem is facing downward and let the caramel set, about 10 to 15 seconds more. Place on the prepared baking sheet, stem side up, and repeat with the remaining apples. (If the caramel gets too hard to coat the apples well, set the pan over low heat and rewarm, stirring constantly, until the caramel is loose and pourable.)

4. Refrigerate the apples until set, at least 10 minutes. The apples can be made and stored in the refrigerator up to 1 day in advance.

CRAFTS

Graham Cracker Sukkah

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 4 Sukkah Decorations

Citron Sun Catcher

Paper Lanterns

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 5 Edible Torahs

(Smarties)

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 6 (Tortillas & Carrots)

(Pretzels & Fruit Roll Ups)

Torah Puppets

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 7 Flags

SONGS FOR SUKKOT

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 8 Hashem is Here We can sleep there, too But don't forget that we must see the Hashem is here, Hashem is there stars peeking at us through the roof. Hashem is truly everywhere (2x) Up, up Chorus Down, down Right, left All around Ufros Aleinu Here, there and everywhere That's where Hashem is found (2x) Ufros Aleinu sukat, sukat sh'lomecha (2x) This is What We Need Ya la la la, Ya la la la la to Build a Sukkah Ya la la la la la la la la la Ya la la la, Ya la la la la Chorus Ya la la la la la la la la la This is what we need to build a Sukkah Wood and branches Hammer and nails This is what we need to build a Sukkah For this holiday.

First we build a frame with wood and cover it with branches Lots of fun to do But don't forget that we must see the sun peeking at us through the roof.

Chorus

Now it's time to hang the apples, carrots and bananas Pears and popcorn, too But, don't forget that we must see the sky peeking at us through the roof.

Chorus

After it is finished we can eat inside the Sukkah

SONGS FOR SIMCHAT TORAH

Little Torah

Tucson Jewish Community Center (520) 299-3000 ● www.tucsonjcc.org Page 9 Little torah, little torah Let me hold you tight Tell me many, many stories Teach me wrong from right

Listen to your eema, listen to your aaba And you will do what's right Listen to your parents, listen to your teachers And you will lead a very special life

Torah Li

Torah li, torah li, torah shel li (2x) Torah, torah shel li

Dance with the torah and sing out a song Dance with the torah and sing all day long Torah, torah shel li

Eits Chayim Hi/The Tree of Life

Chorus Shalom, shalom (4x) Eits chayim hi lamachazikim ba, Vetomecheha me-ushar. (2x) Chorus A tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and all of its supporters are happy (2x) Chorus

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