Honoring Graham Arad and Hazzan Ellen Arad

This Simchat Torah morning, (Wednesday, September 29), Westchester Jewish Center is proud to honor Graham Arad as our Hattan Torah (the groom of Torah) and Hazzan Ellen Arad as our Kallat Bereshit (the bride of Bereshit). On Simchat Torah we finish reading the Torah and immediately start again from the beginning. The Hattan Torah and Kallat Bereshit are honored with the last aliyah in the Torah reading cycle and the first in the next cycle respectively. The honor is traditionally reserved for people who go above and beyond to share Torah with the congregation.

Since joining WJC, Graham and Ellen, have been essential leaders and participants in the ritual life of our community. They have been incredible generous with their Jewish knowledge, chanting and davening skills and dedication to Jewish life and community. We are blessed that they call WJC their spiritual home and that they are so profoundly committed to insuring a thriving Jewish ritual life for us all.

We hope you will join us for Simhat Torah services Wednesday morning, including marching with the sifre Torah, an aliyah to the Torah and the special huppah ceremony honoring our Hattan and Kallah, who may for the first time in the shul’s history be an actual hattan and kallah (a bride and groom). We will continue to celebrate together at the Kiddish Luncheon with special libations from Graham’s native land the British Isles (read scotch!)

Please continue reading below for our complete Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah schedule.

Monday, September 27
6:30pm: Shemini Atzeret evening service (Sanctuary and Live Stream)

Tuesday, September 28
7:00-8:45am: Early Shemini Atzeret morning service, including the Yizkor Memorial Prayers (Lower Tent; In Person Only)
9:15am: Regular holiday morning service, including the Yizkor Memorial Prayers (Sanctuary and Live Stream)
10:45am: Torah for Tots (Outside; lower ECC playground area)
10:45am: Youth Services (Outside; by the Activity Center)
5:30pm: Simchat Torah Family Celebration (Outside – Library Patio)
6:00pm: Simchat Torah Family Celebration Pasta and Pizza Dinner RSVP
7:00pm: Community Hakafot and Ma’ariv Service (Sanctuary and Live Stream)
The regular evening service will be on the live stream from the sanctuary not before 7:45pm. Questions? Contact the clergy to clarify.

Wednesday, September 29
9:15am: Simhat Torah Shacharit, includes marching with Sifrei Torah, an aliyah for everyone who wants and honoring the Arads with special aliyot! (Sanctuary and Live Stream)
10:45am: Torah for Tots (Outside; lower ECC playground area)
10:45am: Youth Services (Outside; by the Activity Center)
6:30pm-7:30pm: Mincha/Maariv and teaching by Rabbi Arnowitz to close out the holiday (Sanctuary and Live Stream)