This year High Holidays at HEA really felt like we were, as Rabbi Gruenwald described in his sermon, Panim al Panim (face-to-face). It was such an amazing feeling to greet so many of you in person at HEA and Bethany Church. Each time I connect with a new member, a congregant of 20 years, or even our preschool toddlers, it reminds me of why we do this important work.
Guess what? Our season of holiday joy is just getting started! Today I am writing this HEArtbeat looking forward to a wonderful week of joyous celebration as we move into the harvest holidays of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah. HEA has so much in store for you all, and I cannot wait to see you at our amazing holiday celebrations.
This Sunday evening, October 9, marks the beginning of Sukkot. To usher in my absolute favorite Jewish holiday, we will be hosting the 2nd annual HEA Fall Sukkot Festival Sunday, October 9, from 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Register TODAY to get the pre-festival pricing, which closes at 3:00 p.m. TODAY. This event will have something for everyone! For the youngest HEA members, you can expect many fun festival activities like:
Clydesdale Horse Drawn Hayrides
Petting Zoo
Face Painting
Bouncy House Basketball
Science Experiments for Science Matters
Construction Equipment Demos
Gaga Pit
Sukkah decoration crafts
And many more fun activities
For our members of all ages, you will not be left out. We will also have plenty to keep you entertained, such as:
Amazing musical and dance entertainment on the main stage from Hadgaba (Featuring HEA’s own Eitan Kantor), The Timberline Troubadours (Bluegrass band), and Dance Kaleidoscope dance troop
HEA Market Shuk, where you can shop for glasswork, pottery, jewelry, skincare, suncatchers, and many more homemade goods.
Sukkah Banner sales courtesy of the Sukkah Project (sukkot.com)
Unable to make it on Sunday? Next Friday, October 14, HEA will host a special Friday night full of activity. Our wonderful Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat will begin with a Happy hour at 5:30 p.m. During this wonderful service, we will be honoring our HEA history with the first presentation of our “West Side Tales and Treasures.” Come hear some of our wonderful West Side HEA members share their stories of growing up at HEA when it was located in Denver’s Northwest neighborhood. Afterward, join us for a lovely dinner from our Sisterhood in the HEA Sukkah.
The last big Hurrah of the Holiday season is Simchat Torah. This year will be unlike any other that HEA has seen. You will not want to miss Gora Gora Simchat Torah on Monday, October 17. Celebrate the new cycle of the Torah as we finish the last words of the Torah for the year. We will sing and dance along with Gora Gora Orkestar, a lively brass band that will get us all up and dancing with the Torahs! Join us for dancing, drinks, and so much fun. We will begin the evening with a special Simchat Torah children’s service at 5:30 p.m. and look forward to the entire community joining us at 6:30–8:00 p.m.
