What Are Ushpizin?  Ushpizin, the Aramaic word for “guests,” traditionally refers to the Biblical forefathers who visit us in spirit each evening over the seven-day period of Sukkot. Each patriarch enters the sukkah—the leafy, three-walled structure we eat our meals in during this period—and dines with us as a guest, and each is associated with a different aspect of Divine energy.  The traditional order of patriarch ushpizin is: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David.Over the past few decades, many...

With such an assortment of special guests in your sukkah or at your table, you may be wondering what topics of conversation will both honor their legacies and keep your flesh-and-blood guests engaged. We’ve got you covered with a few suggestions:  What are your hopes and dreams for 5783? What kind of world do you want to see?  What lessons from the values and lives of your ushpizin still resonate today?  What questions would you most like to ask your ushpizin?

Emma Goldman: anarchist activist who famously said, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution”  Octavia Butler: a Black science fiction writer whose dream of writing bestsellers came true, she wrote that “the only lasting truth is change” Ruth Bader Ginsburg: notoriously beloved first Jewish female Supreme Court Justice  John Lewis: a Civil Rights legend, he coined the term “good trouble” and served in the House of Representatives, winning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011...

Sarah: famously pregnant at the age of 90, she became the “mother of nations”  Rebecca: a wily woman, she helped trick her husband Isaac into giving their younger son Jacob the blessing of the firstborn  Rachel: beloved wife of Jacob, she was also crafty enough to hide her father’s idols from him  Judith: she liberated her city from siege by beheading the enemy general, Holofernes  Miriam: sister of Moses, she sang and played the timbrel at the Sea of Reeds Deborah:...

Why is it traditional for Jews to fast on Yom Kippur? Fasting, along with wearing white and avoiding sensual pleasures, is meant to purify our bodies, minds, and spirits for Divine judgment.  While many Jews fast from sundown to sundown on Yom Kippur, fasting isn’t for everyone. Health issues may prevent some people from being able to safely fast, and others may not find spiritual resonance and significance in the practice. With intentional adaptation, however, it’s possible to find a fasting...

Remember, God, the soul of my parent, my teacher ( the name of the parent, child of the name of their parents ), who went to their world, because I will - without making a vow - give charity for them. In recompense for this, let their soul be bound with the Binding of life (God), with the soul of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya'akov, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah, and with the other righteous ancestors in the Garden of Eden. And...

Ushpizin Blessing Adonai, may You spread your sukkah of peace over our heads Like an eagle protecting its nest May our exalted guests [names of ushpizin] sit with us this night And comfort us with their ancestral wisdom  May we be blessed with their presence

Remember, God, the soul of ( my grandparents, my uncles and aunts, my siblings, my husband, my wife, my partner, another close relative ) ( the name of the departed, child of the name of their parent ), who went to his/her/their world, because I will - without making a vow - give charity for her/him/them. In recompense for this, let his/her/their soul be bound with the Binding of life (God), with the soul of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya'akov, Sarah, Rivkah,...

Remember, God, the soul of my mother, my teacher ( the name of the mother, daughter of the name of her father or mother ), who went to her world, because I will - without making a vow - give charity for her. In recompense for this, let her soul be bound with the Binding of life (God), with the soul of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya'akov, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah, and with the other righteous men and women in the...

Remember, God, the soul of my father, my teacher ( the name of the father, son of the name of his father or mother ), who went to his world, because I will - without making a vow - give charity for him. In recompense for this, let his soul be bound with the Binding of life (God), with the soul of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya'akov, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah, and with the other righteous men and women in the...

Rosh Hashanah invites us to turn and return—to ourselves, to our inner truth, and to Divine presence. This ritual is designed to support this process through physical, embodied turning. As we move our bodies, we shift our energy. As we turn, we also return.  Begin by choosing three objects that are small enough to hold in your hands—candlesticks, for instance, or a child’s toy. Each will stand in as the answer to one of the following questions: What are you grateful...

New Year of the Animals According to the Talmud—the ancient body of Jewish law—the 1st of Elul was the date upon which farm and other domesticated animals were counted a year older for tax purposes. This date was thus known as the New Year of the Animals. While this tradition is long gone, on this day we have the opportunity to honor our beloved animal companions, as well as to be mindful of our own interrelationship to, and impact upon, animal...

Hosting a more meaningful Rosh Hashanah dinner is possible - and easy! Here's our top 5 tips to make it happen, even if you only have 10 minutes.  1. Each Passover we ask, "why is this night different from all other nights?" Your Rosh Hashanah dinner is another opportunity to decide to do things a little differently. What's special about tonight? You might be embracing the opportunity to be in community, marking this sacred moment in the Jewish calendar, or eating...

Happy New Year! Traditionally, the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is a time of introspection and reflection. We examine what we appreciate from the year that has passed and what we hope to change in the year to come.  If you've hosted any kind of dinner gathering, you can host a Rosh Hashanah seder. This gathering can be as simple or as complex as your time allows. This booklet is here to help you make it easy and meaningful. 

No matter who you're celebrating with, use this blessing to send a message of love and peace to those you care about. May you feel love and security wherever you go. May you radiate with light and gratitude throughout your days. May a spirit of amazement reside within you always, and may you find peace. 

Sure, food may be the first thing on everyone's mind at a Yom Kippur Break Fast. And, we can still make this night feel special and bigger than just the bagels.  Once your guests have had a chance to eat, invite everyone to join in these activities designed to help us cross the threshold from this holiest of holy days into the rest of the year.  Table Topics: The prayers at the end of Yom Kippur focus on gates that are...

Though it isn't traditional to end our Yom Kippur Break Fast meal by reciting a shehechiyanu blessing, it may feel appropriate upon reaching this moment of joy and celebration after coming through a difficult time. It's a way of saying, "we made it!" as we cross the threshold into the new year.  בָּרוּך אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וקְִיְמָּנוּ והְִגִיּעָנוּ לַזְמַן הַזֶה Barukh ata adonai elohenu melekh ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu la’z’man ha’zeh Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler...