After the seriousness of Yom Kippur, the outdoor-oriented harvest festival of Sukkot is a literal breath of fresh air. It is also a totally kid-friendly holiday—making sukkah decorations, eating outdoors in the sukkah (everyone loves a picnic!), and shaking weird fruit (hello, etrog). And then, at the end of the holiday is the fun of Simchat Torah. During Simchat Torah there is usually a (somewhat circular) parade with both real and plush Torahs, singing, and dancing. In some synagogues, kids even have the opportunity to see an entire Torah unrolled! The whole Torah! Trust us, it is kind of awesome. Brought to you in partnership with PJ Library of New York.
Sukkot 2016 begins on Sunday evening, Oct. 16 and continues through Sunday evening, Oct. 23.
Shemini Atzeret begins on Sunday evening, Oct. 23 and continues through Oct. 24.
Simchat Torah begins on Monday evening, Oct. 24 and concludes at sundown on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Staten Island | Westchester
Brooklyn
Sukkah Decorating at the Shorefront Y 
Help decorate the Shorefront Y sukkah with your own creations, learn about the holiday of Sukkot while enjoying dinner outdoors, and listen to a PJ Library story about Sukkot. RSVP requested
Shorefront YM-YWHA, 3300 Coney Island Ave.
Thursday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m.
Pizza in the Hut
Learn about the holiday of Sukkot and enjoy a slice of pizza in the synagogue sukkah.
RSVP requested, all ages.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Ave & 81st St.
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Sukkah Decorating Party
Make decorations and hang them in the synagogue sukkah followed by a Sukkot-themed sing-along. Crafts are geared toward little hands, for children ages 4 and under.
Kane Street Synagogue, 236 Kane St.
Sunday, Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
PJ Library/Fridays @ 4 Sukkot Party
Celebrate Sukkot with music, sukkah decorating, and a pizza dinner. For children ages 5 and under, RSVP requested.
Union Temple of Brooklyn, 17 Eastern Parkway, 4th fl
Friday, Oct. 21, 4 – 6 p.m.
The Great Sukkot Search
Go on a virtual journey and learn about the harvest festival of Sukkot. Organized by the JCH of Bensonhurst Kibbutznik program for Russian-speaking families, RSVP requested.
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West
Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Simchat Torah
Pizza dinner followed by singing and dancing with the Torahs. RSVP requested.
Congregation Mount Sinai, 250 Cadman Plaza West
Monday, Oct. 24, 6:15 – 8 p.m.
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Long Island
Whole Family Pre-Sukkot Event
Rotate through activity stations and help decorate the synagogue sukkah.
East Meadow Jewish Center, 1400 Prospect Ave., East Meadow
Sunday, Oct. 9, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Family BBQ/Sukkot Service
Help decorate the synagogue sukkah and have a BBQ dinner followed by a family service to welcome Sukkot. RSVP requested
Temple Judea of Manhasset, 333 Searingtown Rd., Manhasset
Sunday, Oct. 16, 5:15 – 7:30 p.m.
Simply Super Sukkot
Welcome Sukkot with an interactive musical experience, songs, crafts, and a dairy dinner.
Plainview Jewish Center, Kirschner Room, 95 Floral Dr.
Sunday, Oct. 16, 5 – 6:15 p.m.
Israeli Fun in the Sukkah
Make your own pita and help decorate the JCC sukkah.
Camp Jacobson, 340 Wheatley Rd., Old Westbury
Sunday, Oct. 16, 10 – 11:15 a.m.
Sukkah Decorating and Sukkot Service
Help decorate the synagogue sukkah, followed by a short holiday service.
B’nai Israel Reform Temple of Oakdale, 67 Oakdale Bohemia Rd., Oakdale
Sunday, Oct. 16, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Sukkot Family Dinner
Enjoy a family-friendly meal in the synagogue sukkah along with activities for kids and adults. RSVP requested, all ages.
Jericho Jewish Center, 430 N Broadway
Sunday, Oct. 16, 6 – 8 p.m.
PJ Library Celebrates Sukkot
Celebrate the holiday of Sukkot with PJ Library stories, crafts, and songs, for children ages 8 and under. RSVP requested.
Central Synagogue of Nassau County/Congregation Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave., Rockville Centre
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Pizza in the Hut with PJ Library
An interactive musical experience with Drum Tales followed by pizza in the sukkah, for families with children ages 4 and under, RSVP requested.
Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Centre Nursery School, 295 Main St., East Rockaway
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Pizza (Bagels) in the Hut
Celebrate Shabbat and Sukkot with songs and dinner in the sukkah. For families with children ages 5 and under, RSVP requested.
Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Dr., Greenvale
Friday, Oct. 21, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
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Manhattan
Bim Bam Sukkah Breakfast
Help create decorations for the BJ sukkah, sing along with Shira Kobren, listen to a story, and nosh on a late breakfast. Limited space available, for families with children ages 5 and under, RSVP requested.
B’nai Jeshurun, 270 West 89th St.
Sunday, Oct. 16, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Sukkot Family Celebration
Make your own edible sukkah and help decorate the sukkah at the Y, part of the PJ Library Cooks & Creates series. RSVP requested.
YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave.
Sunday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sukkah Decorating Party
Help decorate the Y’s rooftop sukkah, and learn about the holiday of Sukkot with crafts, singing, and a snack. For families with children ages 4 and under, siblings welcome.
92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave.
Sunday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sukkah Building and Decorating
Help build and decorate the Jewish Community Project sukkah.
JCP Downtown, 146 Duane St.
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Family Sukkot Experience
Two different age-appropriate sessions including singing, crafts, stories, and snacks in the sukkah.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 West 83rd St. btw Columbus & CPW
Sunday, Oct. 16, 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. (ages 0-3), 4:30 – 6 p.m. (ages 3 and up)
Sukkot Family Celebration
Celebrate the harvest holiday of Sukkot in the JCC’s rooftop sukkah with art, stories, and music. Best for ages 4 and under, RSVP requested.
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave.
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Nature-Inspired Postcards Vacation Week Art Workshop
Make your own hand-printed cards with images from nature to decorate your sukkah or share with friends. Free with museum admission.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave @ 96th St.
Thursday & Friday, October 20 & 21, 1 – 4 p.m.
Sukkot Family Celebration: Shakshuka in the Sukkah
Celebrate Sukkot with other Russian-speaking families in the JCC’s rooftop sukkah. Create your own sukkah from recycled and natural materials, join a sing-along, and enjoy shakshuka and other Israeli food. All ages, RSVP requested.
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave.
Thursday, Oct. 20, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Sukkot & Me
Families with children in pre-K and under will sing, pray, learn, and play in the synagogue sukkah.
RSVP requested.
Congregation Or Zarua, 127 East 82nd St.
Friday, Oct. 21, 5 – 6 p.m.
Simchat Torah Central
Decorate flags, eat dinner, and celebrate with the Torah for the holiday of Simchat Torah, for ages 4 and under accompanied by an adult, RSVP requested.
Central Synagogue, 652 Lexington Ave. (Enter on East 55th St.)
Sunday, Oct. 23, 5:15 – 6 p.m.
Ice Cream at Sinai
Join Rabbi Bolton and learn about Simchat Torah, sing songs, read stories, and eat ice cream followed by the synagogue’s Simchat Torah celebration. Children will also get to open the ark and take an up-close look at the Torahs. RSVP requested.
Congregation Or Zarua, 127 East 82nd St.
Monday, Oct. 24, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
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Staten Island
Music in the Sukkah
Families are invited to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot with music and crafts.
Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, 1466 Manor Rd.
Thursday, Oct. 20, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Marks JCH Family Sukkot Celebration
Learn about the harvest holiday of Sukkot with nature-based art projects and snacks and take a turn at shaking the lulav and etrog, which are traditionally used during this holiday. Organized by the JCH of Bensonhurst, RSVP requested.
Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, 1131 Manor Rd., Staten Island
Sunday, Sept. 23, Noon – 2 p.m.
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Westchester
Story and Snacks in the Sukkah
Learn about the holiday of Sukkot, shake a lulav and etrog, and have a healthy snack in the sukkah.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center, 515 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry
Sunday, Oct. 23, 1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
Simchat Torah Evening Celebration
Simchat Torah celebration for families with preschool-age children.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center, 515 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry
Monday, Oct. 24, 6 – 7 p.m.
