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Simchat Torah!! – The BIG Party!
5763 - 2002 @ Shabbos House

Simchat Torah is the Big Party of the Year at Shabbos House, all are welcome to participate and enjoy!
SAT NIGHT 9/28 begins at 8pm and runs past midnight

Don’t miss this incredible celebration! – Lively Hakafot Dancing, Spirited Lchaims, Great Crowd!!
No Matter the Weather! (we have a big tent set up in addition to Shabbos House and the Sukkah).

Detailed Schedule for Shabbat and Holiday Weekend:

Friday Night 9/27    Candle-Lighting 6:26

·          Conservative and Reform Prayer Services at Chapel House 7pm

·          Orthodox Prayers at Shabbos House 6:30pm (please be prompt as we wish to include a mini- warm-up hakafot before dinner at 8pm)

·          Festive Shabbat & Shemini Atzeret Holiday Dinner in the Shabbos House Sukkah and in the House (or Tent..) at 8pm – all are welcome! It will be awesome.. new students and old, and visiting alumni!

Sat Day 9/28

·          Morning Prayers at Chapel House 10am

·          Festive Lunch at Shabbos House 12:30

Sat Night 9/28 Simchat Torah!!

·          7pm Maariv Prayer @ SH

·          8pm Auction and Ata Horaysa Honors @ SH

·          Kiddush, Dancing and Festivities follow, running as late as our energy and spirits take us!     all @ SH...

·          Simchat Torah is co-sponsored by L’chaim & Tagar Student Groups, and many thanks to all the students who have greatly assisted in making this happen.

Sunday Day 9/29 - The Day After.

  • Simchat Torah continues the next morning with Prayer Services at Shabbos House around 10am with some Hakafot and singing and a wild Musaf.

  • Festive Holiday Lunch circa 1pm - all are welcome!

What makes this Night different from all other Nights at Shabbos House?

1. The Keg.
It is a tradition to go all out in celebrating Simchat Torah, to dance and sing, accompanied by festive Lchaims. But only on Simchat Torah. Even on Purim we don’t have a keg. Please enjoy responsibly, in good taste and in moderation. For those who do not wish to drink, please do NOT feel under ANY pressure to drink. As long as you are celebrating and having a good time, you’re doing OK. * New for this year is a possible Bar with some mixed drinks, please cooperate and follow all regulations etc.

2. The $$ Auction
Shabbos House never charges. This is the one and only time each year that there’s a solicitation of funds at Shabbos House (aside for mail fundraisers and appeals etc). It is traditional for regular synagogues to run auctions at this holiday, the students initiated it here. Please do not feel under any pressure to contribute, especially if you have limited funds. Shabbos House receives no funding from the University or National Chabad, raising all funds from generous parents and friends, alumni and students. Thanks! * no amount is too small, if you’d like to give and this is not a good time, you can do so any time.

3. Alumni Weekend
We’re expecting 30+ alumni to join us for the weekend, many of whom are staying at a nearby motel, and some are staying with students in dorm rooms (thanks..) We’re very excited and looking forward to welcome back these returning alumni who have greatly contributed to Jewish life while at UAlbany, and continue to maintain a close connection. They will add so much to our atmosphere and we’re grateful that they are happy to return.

4. The Souvenir.
Back due to popular demand (first made for Simchat Torah 2000) each participant in the Simchat Torah festivities can take a shotglass souvenir. This time, instead of the dancing Torah man, it features a bold, blue Magen-David with a little edge and is courtesy of TAGAR, the Zionist student group – wishing to promote Jewish and Israel pride.

5. The Festive Meal
Most festive meals at Shabbos House are the sit-down type, with several courses and great atmosphere. Simchat Torah has the great atmosphere, no doubt, but there’s no sit-down meal. Instead, following Kiddush we have breads, cookies and cakes, nosh and nibbles, deli and veggie platters, salads and huge pots of matzah-ball soup.


looking forward to much celebrating together!

Mendel and Raizy