Times: Sukkot starts on Monday night, light candles at 5:57pm. On Tuesday night, light candles after 6:54pm from a pre-existing flame. Yom Tov ends on Wednesday night at 6:55pm.

Shabbat Chol Hamo’ed: light candles on Friday 24th at 6:00pm; ends Saturday 6:58pm. Grand Final starts at 7.15pm.

Last days of Sukkot (Shmini Atzeret & Simchat Torah) start on Monday 27th, light candles at 6:03pm. On Tuesday night, light candles after 7:01pm from a pre-existing flame. Yom Tov ends on Wednesday night at 7:01pm.

Mincha in the CBD: We will seek to resume mincha at L2/430 Lt Collins after DST starts if there is demand. Join the the WhatsApp group to stay across the latest details.

Study: The Wednesday Weekly Shiur is in recess and will resume on 6 Oct with a lunch to celebrate the completion of the chapter and the volume. Details here.

Thought of the Week with thanks to Yudi New. The High Holidays represent an incredible spiritual opportunity. A chance to cleanse, and start the new year afresh. However, similar to physical surgery or therapy, the process can have unintended consequences. So much so, that healthy vital organs or cells can experience collateral damage and also require healing. Says Rav Kook, that is why the festival of Sukkot and its unique mitzvah of simcha / happiness, follow immediately after the intense teshuvah experience of Yom Kippur.

In its effort to reconnect to its source, the soul is depleted and needs to retreat to the spiritual oasis of the sukkah, protected by holiness on all sides and above, in order to rehabilitate and recharge for its continued mission of bringing holiness into this physical world. These are challenging times for all of us. G-d willing may our return to the sukkah this year and the joy that it brings give us the strength to actively and positively bring G-dliness to whatever situations we find ourselves.

Chag Sameach!