Will you be lighting your Shabbat and Yom Tov candles in the sukkah tonight? You can check here to find your local candle lighting time: hebcal.com Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a Chag Sameach, an especially joyous holiday of Sukkot!

Sukkot is one of the most joyful festivals in Judaism, centered around the sukkah, a gathering place where we bring together family, friends, and community. Every Jew and every community has the right to celebrate it safely. Wishing you a Chag Sukkot Sameach and Shabbat Shalom.

Sukkot begins tonight, and joy is at the heart of the holiday. But Sukkot teaches that joy isn’t something we’re meant to keep to ourselves. From the ancient Temple in Jerusalem to the sukkah today, our celebration includes hopes for blessing, abundance and peace for the entire world. We discuss this idea in today's special Jewish Treat. jewishtreats.beehiiv.com/p/a…

Israel has been getting ready to welcome the tens of thousands of international tourists arriving for Sukkot, and that includes making sure they’re cared for if something goes wrong. A mobile emergency clinic staffed by doctors and paramedics will open in the heart of Jerusalem, offering walk-in medical care to tourists and residents throughout the holiday. Another way Israel is preparing to welcome its Sukkot guests. jns.org/news/israel-news/mob…

Sukkot begins this evening, and soon sukkahs everywhere will be filled with family, friends, food and memories in the making. If you celebrated Sukkot growing up, what is one memory from your childhood that still makes you smile? A favorite sukkah decoration? A family tradition? A memorable meal? Getting rained on? Share your Sukkot nostalgia with us. We’d love to hear it!

What if your Sukkot guest list included Abraham, Moses and King David? Meet the Ushpizin, “guests” in Aramaic, seven great figures from Jewish history who are symbolically welcomed into the sukkah during Sukkot. Who from Jewish history would you invite into your sukkah? jewishtreats.beehiiv.com/p/t…

What exactly are those branches and that funny-looking yellow fruit you see during Sukkot? They’re known as the Four Species, and bringing them together is one of the holiday’s most distinctive mitzvahs. But what are they, and what do they mean? Learn more in today’s Jewish Treat. jewishtreats.beehiiv.com/p/t…

This Sukkot, make room in the sukkah for the remarkable women of Jewish history. Introducing a tradition of "Ushpizot" invites us to honor Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Deborah, Esther and other extraordinary women whose strength, faith and wisdom helped shape the story of our people. blogs.timesofisrael.com/maki…

Please join us in praying for Neria Dov ben Chana's speedy and complete recovery!

I am grateful to the IDF, to the medical team at Shaare Zedek who are now fighting to save the life of Neria Dov ben Chana, and for the prayers of the people of Israel. I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe that when the people of Israel unite, miracles happen. Neria needs a miracle. Neria continued to serve in the reserves after losing his older brother, Moshe Yedidya Leiter, of blessed memory. Since October 7th, he has served hundreds of days in the reserves on multiple fronts. Palestinian terrorism seeks to uproot the people of Israel from their land. They choose death - we choose life.

Yesterday's Jewish Treat was about building a sukkah for Sukkot. Tell us: What’s the most unusual place you’ve ever seen a sukkah?

What makes a sukkah a sukkah? Walls, branches and a little creativity! Building this temporary home for Sukkot may be easier than you think. Learn the basics, from the walls and s’chach covered roof, to the meaningful tradition of making your sukkah beautiful. jewishtreats.beehiiv.com/p/w…

Former Knicks player Mike Sweetney left a legacy that stretched far beyond the NBA. As an assistant coach at Yeshiva University, a mentor and a true friend of the Jewish community, Sweetney became “one of us,” remembered for always showing up when people needed him. May his memory be a blessing. nypost.com/2026/09/17/sports…

Wishing an early happy 90th birthday to legendary Jewish composer Steve Reich, a longtime friend of NJOP! As he approaches this milestone, Reich looks back on the remarkable career that helped transform the sound of modern music and continues to influence generations of musicians. theguardian.com/music/2026/s…

Now that we’ve repented on Yom Kippur and, hopefully, received Divine forgiveness, it’s time to sit back, relax and take it easy... Just kidding! Sukkot begins in just a few days! Get ready for the holiday with NJOP’s Sukkot resources, from the sukkah and Four Species to the meaning and traditions behind the celebration. njop.org/sukkot/

Wishing you a meaningful Yom Kippur filled with reflection, forgiveness and hope for the year ahead. May your fast be meaningful and may you and your loved ones be written and sealed for a year of good health, happiness and peace. G’mar Chatimah Tovah from all of us at NJOP and Jewish Treats.

Quick pre-Yom Kippur reminder to light your yahrzeit candle along with your Yom Kippur candles this evening. The correct blessing over the candles tonight is "lehadlik ner shel Yom HaKippurim" and you add the Sheh’heh’cheh’yanu blessing. Check here for local yom tov candle lighting times: hebcal.com