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Weekly NewsletterSeptember 25, 20261 min read
Weekly NewsletterSeptember 25, 20261 min read

Mekor Habracha Newsletter: Sukkot I & II (Shabbat & Sunday) 5787

Mekor Habracha Center City Synagogue
 

Sukkot 5787

September 25-October 2, 2026 · 15-21 Tishrei 5787

Sukkot @ Mekor

Schedule of Services

Friday, September 25: Erev Sukkot / Shabbat
6:34pm Candle Lighting
6:30pm Mincha / Condensed Kabbalat Shabbat / Yom Tov Maariv
Shabbat, September 26: Sukkot Day 1 (15 Tishrei)
9:15am Morning Services (Shacharit)
~11:45am Kiddush in the Sukkah
5:30pm Pre-Mincha Classes
6:30pm Mincha followed by Maariv
after 7:32pm Candle Lighting (from an existing flame; preparations for Day 2 after this time)
Sunday, September 27: Sukkot Day 2 (16 Tishrei)
9:15am Morning Services (Shacharit) & Lulav/Etrog
~11:45am Kiddush in the Sukkah
5:30pm Pre-Mincha Classes
6:30pm Mincha followed by Maariv
7:30pm 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 This Week

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!

Thank You for a Beautiful High Holiday Season

Thank you to everyone who made Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur so uplifting and meaningful: our chazanim, baalei kriah, and baalei tekiyah for leading inspiring services, our gabbaim for facilitating well-run services, our generous sponsors and volunteers who prepared the kiddushim and break-fast, and our youth leaders.

Special Mazal Tov to Uriel Catalan and his family, whose beautiful laining enhanced Yom Kippur and allowed our community to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah together.

May the new year bring blessings, health, and peace to our entire community and to the entire Jewish people in Israel and around the globe.

Mekor, BZBI, and Shtiebel Sukkah Hop 2026

Everyone is welcome to join our Sukkah Hop on Shabbat, September 26 (first day of Sukkot) from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, in partnership with BZBI and South Philly Shtiebel. Go at your leisure anytime between 2:00pm and 5:00pm and visit as many sukkot as you would like. Maps will be available at shul.

Thank You to Our Sukkah Builders!

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. Your hard work and time are greatly appreciated!

Using the Mekor Sukkah: The Mekor sukkah is open for use for all of the holiday, including Chol HaMoed. Please email the shul at admin@mekorhabracha.org for location info 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.

Pricing:
• Members: $18
• Non-Members: $25
• Children (under 8): $5
• Sponsorship (named or anonymous): At least $72 in addition to the meal cost

Payment can be sent via Venmo to @Mekor-Habracha. For questions, please reach out to Rabbi Gotlib at rabbisgotlib@mekorhabracha.org or the Events Committee at events@mekorhabracha.org.

Sign Up for Simchat Torah Lunch

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
Mekor's Tot Shabbat, join us twice a month for parsha, songs, and stories

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.

Flag of 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.

Weekdays at Mekor

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

Chol HaMoed Sukkot Services: September 28 to October 2

Monday, September 28 (Chol HaMoed Day 1)

6:45am Morning Services (Shacharit)

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

6:30pm Mincha followed by Maariv*

Tuesday, September 29 (Chol HaMoed Day 2)

6:45am Morning Services (Shacharit)

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

6:30pm Mincha followed by Maariv*

Wednesday, September 30 (Chol HaMoed Day 3)

6:45am Morning Services (Shacharit)

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

6:30pm Mincha followed by Maariv*

Thursday, October 1 (Chol HaMoed Day 4)

6:45am Morning Services (Shacharit)

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

6:30pm Mincha followed by Maariv*

Friday, October 2 (Hoshanah Rabbah / Shemini Atzeret)

6:45am Morning Services (Shacharit)

6:20pm Mincha / Condensed Kabbalat Shabbat / Maariv

*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 at Mekor

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

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Center City Synagogue

Mekor Habracha

A vibrant Modern Orthodox community in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia.

(215) 525-4246

admin@mekorhabracha.org

1500 Walnut St Suite 206, Philadelphia, PA 19102

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