Sukkot Celebration

Sukkot Celebration: Finding Strength in Fragility: Being Jewish Now!

This Sukkot, step into the sukkah for an evening that’s as thought-provoking as it is inspiring. In the spirit of a holiday that reminds us of both life’s fragility and resilience, we’re gathering not just to celebrate—but to reflect, connect and find strength in Jewish identity today.

We’re thrilled to welcome three dynamic contributors from the acclaimed post-10/7 anthology created by Zibby Owens Being Jewish Now!—Alix Strauss, Rachel Levy Lesser, and Rebecca Raphael for a lively, moving and deeply personal conversation about what it means to be Jewish in this moment.

These award-winning authors and cultural voices will share powerful readings from their essays, explore the impact of October 7 on Jewish life and open up a dialogue about faith, identity, memory and the role of storytelling in times of crisis and hope.

Meet the Panel:

Alix Strauss
A New York Times contributor and award-winning author, Alix is known for her sharp wit, fearless storytelling and national media presence on CNN, CBS and The Today Show. Her books—including The Joy of Funerals and Death Becomes Them—explore the human experience—particularly the complexities of identity, mortality and belonging.

Rachel Levy Lesser
A memoirist, podcaster, and HuffPost, Kveller, and Modern Loss contributor. Her acclaimed book Life’s Accessories inspired her hit Substack and podcast, blending humor and heart to explore what we carry—literally and emotionally—through life and loss. She brings warmth, humor and a distinctive voice to conversations around what it means to carry our stories—and our heritage—with us.

Rebecca Raphael
A writer and editor with a background in TV production (Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, Katie Couric), Rebecca co-authored Fair Play and Family Values, and brings a modern, relatable lens to Jewish identity, and family life, offering deep insight into how ancient values are lived in contemporary homes. Her next book, Own Your Fertility, is due out in 2026.

Registration Required
Pre-order your copy of the book prior to the event: $13.50

All profits received by Zibby Media will be donated to Artists Against Antisemitism. Artists Against Antisemitism is a nonprofit initiative that unites creative voices across disciplines to fight hatred through art, storytelling and community engagement. Founded to confront rising antisemitism with empathy and impact, the organization supports and amplifies artists who are using their work to educate, inspire and build bridges.

This program is sponsored by TBS Sisterhood, Men’s Club & Shelter Rock Jewish Center