For the past 25 years Ruach Hamidbar-Spirit of the Desert, the Valley’s Renewal congregation, has built a large community sukkah filled with tapestries, glittery fabrics and thousands of lights. It takes a few weeks to design and execute and is set up in Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein ‘s large back yard in Scottsdale.
“We are fortunate to have some very dedicated members who take time off work to make the mitzvah of sukkah a ‘hiddur mitzvah’ (enhancement or beautification of the mitzvah),” says Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein.
Every evening of Sukkot the Ruach Hamidbar sukkah is home to services and events such as healing circles, drumming circles, women’s night, single’s night, Reb Nachman of Beslov’s yahrzeit and more.
“People come from all over to be in our grand sukkah, just to experience the beauty, joy and holy space.,” says the rabbi. The public is invited to join in decorating the Sukkah Oct. 5-7. For more information on events, call 480-206-5078 or e-mail office@ruach.org.
Last year’s Moishe House Sukkot Shabbat drew more than 100 people including, from left, Jon Basha, Adam Dobrusin, Avi Wolf, Dan Shtutman and being held up in their arms, Blaine Light. Moishe House residents Jon, Adam, Avi and Blaine are hoping for even more people this year! Open to ages 21-29, the event includes food and drink for $10. The celebration begins at 7 pm Oct. 10 at Scottsdale Moishe House. Contact moishehousephoenix@gmail.com if you’d like to help build or decorate the sukkah, or to RSVP for the evening event.
