Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah 5787

October 2-4, 2026 · 21-23 Tishrei 5787

Shemini Atzeret & Simchas Torah @ Mekor

Schedule of Services

Friday, October 2: Hoshana Rabbah / Erev Shabbat & Shemini Atzeret

6:23pm

Candle Lighting

6:20pm

Mincha / Condensed Kabbalat Shabbat / Yom Tov Maariv

Shabbat, October 3: Shemini Atzeret (Yizkor & Tefillat Geshem)

9:15am

Morning Services (Shacharit)

~10:45am

Yizkor & Tefillat Geshem (Prayer for Rain)

~11:45am

Kiddush in the Sukkah

6:15pm

Mincha followed by Maariv

~7:15pm

Light Kiddush, Hakafot with Dancing, and falafel dinner

after 7:30pm

Candle Lighting (from an existing flame; preparations for Simchat Torah after this time)

Sunday, October 4: Simchat Torah

9:00am

Morning Services (Shacharit) & Hakafot with Dancing

~2:00pm

Simchat Torah Community Lunch (RSVP)

6:20pm

Mincha followed by Maariv

7:28pm

Yom Tov Ends / Havdalah

The Center City Eruv is UP!

Please help the Center City Eruv with a donation. And, if you're able, the best way to support the Eruv is to become an eruv-checker. Speak to Rabbi Hirsch or Rabbi Gotlib if you are interested in this opportunity.

For more details on Shabbat zmanim, weekly services, sponsorship opportunities, Mishebeirach requests, and programming, please visit the Mekor website.

Kiddush & Yom Tov Sponsors

Shemini Atzeret Kiddush: Shemini Atzeret Kiddush is sponsored by Miriam and Bruce Taubman in celebration of Bruce’s retirement from his pediatric practice of 51 years. Mazal Tov!

Simchat Torah Lunch:
• Simchat Torah lunch is sponsored by Ellen and Sharon Geller in memory of their aunt, Gertrude Potler, whose yahrzeit falls on 19 Tishrei.
• Lunch is also sponsored by Rachel Glyn. Thank you!

If you would like to sponsor kiddush in the Sukkah this weekend, please email the shul at admin@mekorhabracha.org.

We greatly appreciate all of the contributions and gestures, great and small, that make Mekor the inclusive and welcoming community that we are.

We are especially thankful to those who sponsor, set up, and clean up our Shabbat dinners, kiddush, and third meal. Thank you for all of your help!

Sukkah Volunteers & Takedown Help Needed

A huge thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers who came out to help construct and decorate the Mekor shul sukkah for the community to enjoy throughout Yom Tov. When recent storm winds brought the sukkah down, our wonderful volunteers stepped right up to rebuild it, and it is standing strong once again. Thank you so much to everyone who helped put it back up!

Volunteers Needed for Sukkah Takedown: We need volunteers to help take down the shul sukkah after Yom Tov. If you are able to help out, please email us at admin@mekorhabracha.org or check out the Mekor WhatsApp groups.

Using the Mekor Sukkah: The Mekor sukkah remains open for use through the end of the holiday. Please email admin@mekorhabracha.org for location and access details.

Simchat Torah Lunch at Mekor

Join us at Mekor Habracha for Simchat Torah Lunch immediately following Hakafot on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Lunch will be dairy with pareve options catered by Green Bowl in Lakewood.

Registration Update: The signup deadline for Simchat Torah Lunch has passed. If you would still like to attend, please email the shul at admin@mekorhabracha.org.

Youth Programs: Mini Minyan & Shmuel Alef

Mini Minyan: Mini Minyan will be held every Shabbat. Mini Minyan starts around 10:20am and is for anyone in elementary through middle school.

Shmuel Aleph Class: Shmuel Aleph will meet each Shabbat at 3:00pm throughout the year. It is for 6th to 8th graders. Contact Yoella Epstein at yoella.epstein@gmail.com for location info.

Center City Eruv Campaign Update

The Center City Eruv fundraising campaign has been postponed until after the High Holidays. Donations are still welcome and may be made at:

Support the Center City Eruv campaign

Thank you for your continued support of the Center City Eruv.

SUPPORT THE CENTER CITY ERUV

Klezmer Benefit for Ukrainian Children

Join Common Man for Ukraine for a Klezmer Benefit Concert for Ukrainian Children on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at KleinLife JCC.

Learn more and register.

Donations to Mekor

We deeply appreciate donations -- large and small -- to help support our shul. To make your contribution, please use this link.

Support of Israel: Events & Initiatives

In addition to the information below, please visit our new Support of Israel website page for announcements about initiatives online and across the greater Philadelphia Jewish community, all in support of Israel. See our newest entries about how you can support civil defense efforts in Israel.

To view the latest prayer for the welfare of soldiers of the IDF and all victims of terror click here.

Divrei Torah

Click here to read Rabbi Hirsch's latest Torah articles on Substack.

Click here to read Rabbi Gotlib's latest articles on Substack.

Sunnie Epstein's weekly Divrei Torah on the Parshiot HaShavuah can be found on YouTube here.

Daily Minyan

We welcome everyone to join us for a Minyan, whether it's once a week or every weekday!

Please email the Shul to RSVP or to join the Minyan WhatsApp group. RSVPs are appreciated.

Morning and evening weekday services are followed by a brief halachic insight by Rabbi Hirsch or Rabbi Gotlib. Amud Yomi follows most morning services.

Weekday Services

Weekday Services: October 5 to 9

Monday, October 5 (Isru Chag)

6:45am Morning Services (Shacharit)

2:00pm Mincha at 1818 Market or Mikveh Israel*

6:15pm Mincha followed by Maariv*

Tuesday, October 6

6:55am Morning Services (Shacharit)

2:00pm Mincha at 1818 Market or Mikveh Israel*

6:15pm Mincha followed by Maariv*

Wednesday, October 7

6:55am Morning Services (Shacharit)

2:00pm Mincha at 1818 Market or Mikveh Israel*

6:15pm Mincha followed by Maariv*

Thursday, October 8

6:45am Morning Services (Shacharit)

2:00pm Mincha at 1818 Market or Mikveh Israel*

6:15pm Mincha followed by Maariv*

Friday, October 9

6:55am Morning Services (Shacharit)

*Weekday Mincha and Mincha/Maariv are held when there is sufficient interest. Please email the Shul or use the Minyan WhatsApp group for confirmation.

Volunteers Needed

We all benefit from the wonderful work done by Mekor volunteers! Please consider helping out with the following initiatives:

Join the Kiddush (setup) Committee
Join the Hospitality Committee
Make cholent for Kiddush. Erik will teach you how to make the special Mekor Habracha recipe! Please contact Erik Schneiman @ erik.schneiman@gmail.com
Be a Mashgiach for IKC establishments
Be an Eruv Checker

Training will be provided for all positions.

Please email the Shul for info about volunteering!

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Mekor Habracha / Center City Synagogue

1500 Walnut St. Suite 206, Philadelphia, PA 19102