Sukkot means "huts" (singular is a Sukkah), and on Sukkot, Jewish families eat and spend time in the Sukkah, a hut-like structure that Jews build themselves. But what’s the holiday about?
SUKKOT
The High Holidays are over. Now it’s time to celebrate! Jews who celebrate this holiday build a Sukkah that has walls on all sides. That symbolizes the Godly protection that envelops us all every day. Sitting in this temporary structure reminds us that no matter where we are, we are never truly alone.
THE SUKKAH
Some families build a Sukkah at their home, and spend as much time as possible together in the Sukkah, even beyond the meals. Some bring the lawn furniture inside the Sukkah for comfort and lounging together.
THE TRADITIONS
On Sukkot, one of the very special customs is a special daily service using four kinds of plants: a lulav (palm branch), an etrog (citron), at least three hadassim (myrtle branches), and two aravot (willow branches). Each of these plants represents a different type of personality. This teaches us the need for togetherness.
Celebrants gather these plants together, holding them in their hands, and make a blessing. Facing East, each person shakes the plants in all directions in a specific order. This serves as a reminder that no matter where we are in this world, God is always protecting us, not only in the desert so many years ago, but today and always!
WAYS TO CELEBRATE WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
Sukkot is another holiday full of interesting and memorable rituals and traditions, a time for family and memories. With this in mind, it is worthwhile to think about how you want to bring the spirit and traditions of Sukkot to your family in order to create enjoyable, cherished memories of a tradition your children will want to continue.
- Include your child in building the Sukkah as much as possible. Get her a child-sized tool belt and hammer. Allow her to bang something, and then compliment her on the great work. Of course, it will take longer to build because she is helping, but that is all part of creating family memories.
- Invite family and friends to join you. Eat together, play games, or just hang out.
- Bring a special treat to eat in the Sukkah, like candied apples or cookies you baked together.
- Make up silly songs. Add your own lyrics to typical preschool songs, such as, "This is the way we eat in the Sukkah, eat in the Sukkah, eat in the Sukkah ..."
- Some have decorations to make the Sukkah look extra beautiful and personal. Even if you will not be having a Sukkah at your own home, you and your children can create decorations to brighten someone else’s Sukkah. You can bring them to a friend's house, to the synagogue, or to a local Jewish institution that does have a Sukkah.
- If your family does have your own Sukkah, create decorations that you can take out every year. Date them so you remember how old the children were when they made them.
- Take pictures of anything your child has made and actually print them. Keep them in the holiday keepsake box.
- Add new decorations that have meaning to your family. Bring out old family treasures or souvenirs from a family vacation.
- Repurpose old CDs. Place two CDs back to back so that both sides are shiny and glisten in the sun. Decorate with craft glue and shiny gems or stickers. Tie together with ribbons and hang from the roof of the Sukkah.
- Attach rope lights to add a decorative touch.
- Since Sukkot is during fall when rain and wind is a real possibility, it is best to make decorations that can handle the weather. Almost any paper poster can be laminated to withstand the elements.
- Since the Sukkah is outside, plan for bugs and critters.
