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34 October 20 • 2016 spirituality » 34 October 20 • 2016 A rchivist Robbie Terman at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit found some fun historic photographs from Sukkot taken from the Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. The photos were taken in the 1950s-1960s at the Jewish Community Centers on Curtis and Meyers and in Oak Park. Enjoy. Maybe you'll see yourself in these holiday photos. * Two students in the sukkah, c. 1960 Top left: Students learning about Sukkot, 1966. Top right: A nursery school class in front of the sukkah, 1967. Bottom left: Preschool students in the sukkah, c. 1950s. Bottom right: Building the suk- kah, 1965. Courtesy Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives C oming at the conclusion of Sukkot are the two holidays of Shemini Atzeret (Oct. 24) and Simchat Torah (Oct. 25). In Israel and among liberal Jews, they are combined into one holiday on the day after the end of Sukkot. Among more traditional Jews outside of Israel, they are observed separately on two consecutive days. Shemini Atzeret means the "Eighth Day of Assembly," while Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in Torah." Shemini Atzeret is mentioned in the Bible, but its exact function is unclear. In Second Temple times, it appears to have been a day devoted to the ritual cleansing of the Temple altar. With the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, this became moot. Although it marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel and, therefore, includes the year's first prayer for rain, its lack of clear definition may have provided the impetus to celebrate it in conjunction with Simchat Torah, a celebration of the conclusion of one and the beginning of another annual cycle of readings from the Torah. Unlike many other holidays, the obser- vance of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are centered in the synagogue and com- munity. On Shemini Atzeret, some still eat in the sukkah (the traditional hut associated with the festival of Sukkot), but in contrast to Sukkot, no blessings are associated with that activity. On Simchat Torah, it is customary to eat foods that are rolled, just like the Torah. Stuffed cabbage and blintzes are popular, but it's fine to get creative, too, and use pita to roll up your favorite sandwich combinations or to make baklava "cigars" rolled in phyllo dough. Find great recipes for all online. Beginning on Shemini Atzeret and lasting until Passover, a short prayer for rain is inserted into the second blessing of the Amidah prayer. It is traditional to include Yizkor, or memorial service, as part of the liturgy for this day. Simchat Torah is characterized by joy- ful dancing with the Torah. The final portion of Deuteronomy is read in the synagogue followed by the beginning of Genesis. In this manner, the annual cycle of Torah readings continues unbroken. While Shemini Atzeret's significance is somewhat unclear, Simchat Torah conveys a clear message about the centrality of Torah in Jewish life. It is both a source of Jewish identity and a precious gift from God. Simchat Torah is the day on which the whole community gathers to come into direct con- tact with the Torah and to express our joy in having received it. * — myjewishlearning.com Members of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue dance in the street during a Simchat Torah celebration in 2014. Holidays 101 Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah follow Sukkot. Looking Back Simons Archives photos spark holiday memories.