Sukkos Joy and Unity Filled San Francisco’s Streets

More than 700 people joined a joyous Sukkos Street Festival and Simchas Beis Hashoeiva in San Francisco, bringing together every Chabad house in the city alongside local shuls, Jewish organizations, and communities.

San Francisco’s 10th Avenue was filled with Jewish music, dancing, and smiling faces on Tuesday, Chai Tidhrei, September 29, as more than 700 people gathered for an unforgettable celebration of Zman Simchaseinu.

Closed to traffic between Geary and Anza, the street became a place for families and friends to celebrate Sukkos together. Participants came from across San Francisco and beyond, including families who traveled from the Sacramento area.

The event was a joint community effort led by Rabbi Nosson and Chaya Potash of Chabad of Cole Valley. The achdus and partnership of every Chabad house in San Francisco, together with other shuls and communities, brought a special energy to this year’s celebration.

“We need to include every Jewish organization in SF!” said participant David, expressing the spirit of unity that ran through the evening.

The street festival featured a full BBQ, bouncy houses, a rock climbing wall, bunnies, balloon sculpting, and a fire juggling show. Everywhere, happy faces reflected the Jewish pride and true simcha of Sukkos.

Live music featured the SingJam band led by Ben Kramarz, The Ferris Wheels band led by Rabbi Yehuda Ferris, and the one and only Yoey Muchnik.

As the evening progressed, the festival culminated in an energetic Simchas Beis Hashoeiva, with joyous dancing right in the streets of San Francisco. The music and enthusiasm brought people together in a celebration whose warmth could be felt throughout the block.

“This is my family’s joy on Sukkot. My kids love it!” said Keith. “Seeing them literally dancing in the street in San Francisco to Jewish music is my greatest joy of the year.”

Following the dancing and Fire Juggling Show, children gathered for a rally featuring the 12 Pesukim, organized by Tzivos Hashem base commander Alon Chanukov.

The community partners included Adath Israel; Bais Menachem Yeshiva Day School; Chabad of Cole Valley; Chabad of Noe Valley; Chabad of San Francisco — SOMA Shul and Pacific Heights; Chabad of the Neighborhood; Chabad of the Sunset & Student Center; Chevra Tehilim; Magain David Sephardim Congregation; Richmond Torah Center–Chabad; the Russian-speaking Jewish Community of the SF Bay Area; Schneerson Center; Torat Emet; and Chabad of North S. Mateo County.

Organizers expressed their appreciation to the San Francisco Police Department for securing the event and for its close coordination with the community. 

Thanks were extended to all the organizers, donors, community partners, and volunteers whose efforts made the evening possible. From the preparations to the final dance, it was truly a team effort.

With Mayor Daniel Lurie championing the message that “San Francisco is back,” this celebration offered its own joyful statement: Yiddishkeit in San Francisco is on the rise, Baruch Hashem.