Joy in Creation - Zoo Adventure

Joy in Creation: A Jewish New Year Zoo Adventure

Celebrate the High Holiday Season with Jookender at Southwick’s Zoo!

As we welcome the Jewish New Year and move through the beautiful season of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, Jookender invites families to celebrate a little differently this year — surrounded by animals, nature, friends, and community.

Joy in Creation is our way of bringing the spirit of the High Holiday season outdoors. Jewish tradition gives us many opportunities during this time of year to reflect on creation, appreciate the world around us, spend meaningful time together, and begin a new year with gratitude and joy. And what better place to experience the wonder and diversity of creation than at the zoo?

This is not a formal holiday program or religious service. It is a relaxed Jookender community day — an opportunity for children, parents, grandparents, young adults, and friends to enjoy Southwick’s Zoo together while celebrating the season and creating new memories.

Event Details

Sunday, September 20, 2026
11:00 AM
Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon, Massachusetts

We will meet at the ticket booths at 11:00 AM. Look for the JOOKENDER sign — Sasha will be there with the group tickets.

Special Jookender Combo Tickets

We have a very limited number of specially discounted Combo Tickets, which include:

Zoo admission
Sky Ride
Train Ride

Adults (13+): $27
(Regular Combo Ticket price: $47)
Children (ages 3–12): $25
(Regular Combo Ticket price: $42)

We currently have only 16 adult tickets and 20 children’s tickets, so discounted tickets are available while supplies last.

If your family or group needs more tickets than we have available at the discounted Jookender rate, no worries! You can purchase any additional tickets you need directly at the zoo entrance at the regular admission price and still enjoy the day together with our Jookender group.

Come spend an early fall Sunday with old friends, meet new families, ride above the zoo on the Sky Ride, take the train, discover animals together, and simply enjoy being outdoors as a community.

The High Holiday season reminds us to look back, look forward, appreciate what surrounds us, and begin again. This year, we invite you to do some of that reflecting while watching giraffes, lions, monkeys, and perhaps a few animals who have absolutely no interest in the Jewish calendar.

A new year. A beautiful world. New memories together.

Join us for Joy in Creation — A Jewish New Year Zoo Adventure!

Jookender Registration

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Tickets

Adult (13+) ($27.00) - 9 left

Child (3-12) ($25.00) - 19 left

Comments

Jookender Waiver – Joy in Creation - Zoo Adventure

I, on behalf of my family, voluntarily sign this waiver and assumption of risk in favor of the Jookender Community Initiatives, Inc in consideration for the opportunity to use the owner’s facilities, the facilities rented by or given to Jookender Community Initiatives, Inc, or event set up for the Jookender Community Initiatives, Inc, that will take place Sunday, September 20.

I understand that there are certain risks and dangers associated with the activities and use of the facilities and that these risks have been fully explained to me. I fully understand the danger involved. I fully assume the risks involved as acceptable to our family members and other paticipants I personally register, and agree to use my best judgment in undertaking these activities and follow all safety instructions.

I waive and release Jookender Community Initiatives, Inc. from any claim for personal injury, property damage, or death that may arise from use of the facilities or from participation in the activities of Jookender Community Initiatives, Inc.

In regards to COVID-19, I will comply with https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

I am a competent adult and I assume these risks of my own free will.

Please, sign the document with your full legal name.

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I authorize pictures taken during the classes and events may appear in Jookender Facebook Group, Website, and other marketing materials

Total: $0

A Service Fee equal $0.60 + 4% of the total amount will be added for each online transaction.
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