Archive for October, 2014

The Festival of Sukkot

The Festival of Sukkot begins on Tishri, the fifth day after Yom Kippur. It is quite a drastic transition, from one of the most solemn holidays  to one of the most joyous. Sukkot is so unreservedly joyful that it is commonly referred to in Jewish prayer and literature as the Season of our Rejoicing.

Sukkot is the last of the three pilgrimage festivals. Like Passover and Shavu’ot.  Sukkot has a dual significance: historical and agricultural. Historically, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest festival and is sometimes referred to as Chag Ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathering.

The word “Sukkot” means “booths,” and refers to the temporary dwellings that we are commanded to live in during this holiday in memory of the period of wandering. The Hebrew pronunciation of Sukkot is “Sue COAT.”  Sukkot lasts for seven days.

A young woman outside of a synagogue in Paris sells lulov and estrog for Sukkot Blessings.

A young woman on Avenue Victor-Hugo in the 16th arrondissement of Paris sells lulov and estrog for Sukkot blessing.

After reciting the blessing, “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to take the lulav,”  the etrog is turned right side up (or picked up) and the user brings his or her two hands together so that the etrog touches the lulav bundle. The Four Species are then pointed and gently shaken three times toward each of the four directions, plus up and down, to attest to God’s mastery over all of creation.

The waving ceremony can be performed in the synagogue, or in the privacy of one’s home.

Pomerance & Associates Abroad

From Luxembourg to Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris, Pomerance & Associates is at the helm trailblazing events through Europe.
Ambassador of Luxenbourg

With husband, Leon by her side, Barbara Pomerance greets fellow University of Florida Gator, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Robert A. Mandell.

American Cemetery at Hamm

American Cemetery at Hamm, Luxembourg

American Cemetery at Hamm w-BP

Barbara Pomerance at American Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Ambassador Daniel Yohannes

Cocktails with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Ambassador Daniel Yohannes. L-R: Bob Yoffee, Ambassador Yohannes, John O’Donnell, Barbara Pomerance and Gerry Murphy.

Peugeot

Peugeot at Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris.

Ferrari

Hello, Sexy! Ferrari at Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris.

Honda - HR-V

Honda HR-V at Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris.

Nissan Juke

Hyundai Intrado

2015 Washington Auto Show Chairman Kevin Reilly with the Hyundai Intrado at Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris.

Seen at auto show

The SMERA at Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris.