Sukkot: A Harvest Festival of abundance and sharing.

Sukkot is one of Judaism’s most joyful holidays. Known as the Festival of Booths, it commemorates both the Israelites’ journey through the desert and the bounty of the harvest. For seven days, Jews around the world dwell in the sukkah, a temporary outdoor shelter with a roof of branches, reminding us of both the fragility of life and the abundance of G!d’s creation.

But Sukkot is more than a historical or agricultural celebration. At its heart, it asks us to reflect on how we share that abundance, and how we can respond to the persistent problem of food insecurity in our own communities.

The Torah describes Sukkot as a harvest festival:

“You shall hold the festival of Sukkot for seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your winepress.”

Deuteronomy 16:13

This is a time of gratitude, when the land yields its fruits and the community gathers to celebrate. Yet even in the Torah’s command to rejoice, there is a reminder to be inclusive.

“You shall rejoice in your festival, with your son and daughter, your male and female servant, the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow in your communities.”

Deuteronomy 16:14

From the very beginning, the festival was not meant only for those who had plenty, it was a time to ensure that everyone, including the most vulnerable, had a share in the harvest joy.

The Torah consistently links agricultural prosperity with responsibility toward those less fortunate. Farmers were commanded to leave portions of their fields unharvested so that those in need could gather food.

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your G!d.”

Leviticus 23:22

This commandment is read during the Torah portion for Sukkot, making the connection explicit. The joy of abundance is incomplete if the hungry are left without.

Today, we no longer gather in fields with sheaves of wheat or baskets of grapes. Yet the challenge of food insecurity remains pressing. Sukkot provides a framework for addressing this need. Just as the sukkah is open and welcoming, so too should our tables be. Many Jewish communities mark the holiday by organizing food drives, volunteering at food banks, or donating meals. In this way, the mitzvot of Sukkot become acts of justice, ensuring that no one is left outside the celebration of abundance. Abundance comes with responsibility. As we shake the lulav and etrog, symbols of unity across differences, we are reminded that a community is only whole when all are nourished.

Sukkot is an opportunity to support food justice initiatives and to donate to or volunteer with local food banks. It is a reminder to advocate for systemic change by supporting policies that reduce hunger and improve access to fresh, healthy food. It calls us to celebrate the harvest with joy, but also to open our hands and hearts. As the Torah teaches,

“You shall be altogether joyful.”

Deuteronomy 16:15

True joy comes not from abundance alone, but from ensuring that everyone has a share in it. By linking the ancient lessons of the harvest to the modern fight against food insecurity, we make Sukkot not only a festival of remembrance but a living call to justice and compassion.

Shavuot - Chag Ha’bikurim

Shavuot - Chag Ha’bikurim:
The festival of the first fruit.  

Bringing Bikkurim without the Temple.

Back in the days of the Temple, Shavuot was a public celebration of gratitude. Farmers from across the land would bring their bikkurim (first fruits) to Jerusalem in baskets, leading their produce in joyful parades. The Mishnah describes it like this:

“The ox would go before them, its horns plated with gold, and a wreath of olive leaves on its head. The flute would play before them until they approached Jerusalem.” (Mishnah Bikkurim 3:3)

 As they arrived, the city would greet them with music, flowers, and warmth:

“All the craftsmen of Jerusalem would stand before them and greet them, saying, ‘Our brothers, people of place “X”, you have come in peace.’” 

The Mishnah says that even King Agrippas, carried his own basket of fruit: 

“When they reached the Temple Mount, even King Agrippas would take the basket on his shoulder and enter until he reached the Temple Court.” (Mishnah Bikkurim 3:4) 

It was a celebration of generosity and togetherness, and everyone had a part to play. 

Today, we echo this beautiful tradition by dressing in white with garlands of flowers in our hair.  We invite the community to bring in fresh produce to donate. We decorate baskets and have a mini parade before dropping the contributions on the Bima. This opens up an opportunity to discuss food insecurity, food waste, and where our donations are going and who they might help.

This is a tangible way to connect with the Jewish values of giving back, showing thanks, and lifting up others. 

We were slaves in Egypt but now are we free?

Pesach is almost here. Time for Jews to gather around the Seder table, retelling the ancient story of the Exodus — how our ancestors were enslaved in Egypt and, through great struggle and divine intervention, were led to freedom. We read aloud the words, “Avadim hayinu l’Pharaoh b’Mitzrayim — We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, but now we are free.”

But this year, those words catch in my throat.

This year, we know that not all of us are free.

 As I prepare for the Seder, I can’t help but think of the hostages still being held in Gaza. Their plight pierces through the joy of the holiday. In so many ways, they mirror the experience of our ancestors — torn from their homes, stripped of their freedom, and suffering in a foreign land. Just as Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go, so too do those who hold our loved ones today.

 At the Seder we say we ourselves were taken out of Egypt. If we were once slaves, how can we celebrate redemption while members of our own people are still in chains?

 In our tradition, we are taught kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh — all of Israel is responsible for one another. Our freedom will never feel complete while others remain captive. Just as Moses cried out to Pharaoh with divine urgency, “Let my people go,” we too must raise our voices — in prayer, in advocacy and with compassion.

 Passover is a celebration of hope, of resilience, of a future shaped by justice. It reminds us that liberation is not a one-time event in ancient history — it is a continuous effort. With the raw wounds of the Holocaust still not healed we find ourselves crying out again. Needing again to shout out to the world, and to fight for the freedom of those still waiting to come home and do what we can to hasten their return.

 And as we say at the close of the Seder, “L’shanah haba’ah b’Yerushalayim” — Next year in Jerusalem — may that prayer for peace and reunion be fulfilled, not only in spirit but in reality, for all who long to be free.

Teaching Children the Essence of Yom Kippur: Beyond Just Saying "Sorry"

In the world of Jewish education, we often find ourselves at the crossroads of tradition and modern pedagogy. One such juncture is the way we teach children about apologies and the essence of Yom Kippur. While the Day of Atonement is traditionally a time for saying sorry to G!D for our transgressions, it's essential to delve deeper into its meaning, especially when imparting its significance to the young minds in our care.

 The Modern Approach to Apologies

In contemporary teaching, we emphasize the importance of children understanding their actions rather than merely saying the word "sorry." It's about acknowledging what they did, understanding the impact of their actions, and committing to doing better in the future. This approach is more genuine and fosters a sense of responsibility and empathy.

 For instance, instead of a child saying, "I'm sorry for taking your toy," we encourage them to say, "I shouldn't have taken your toy without asking. Next time, I'll ask first." This method not only acknowledges the misstep but also sets a positive path forward.

 Yom Kippur: A Deeper Understanding

Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, is a day of reflection, repentance, and seeking forgiveness from G!D. As adults, we understand the gravity of this day and the importance of saying sorry for our transgressions over the past year. However, when teaching young children about Yom Kippur, it's crucial to approach it with the same depth and understanding we apply to everyday apologies.

 Instead of merely teaching children to say sorry to G!D, we should guide them toward understanding why we are all seeking forgiveness. It's about introspection, recognizing where we might have gone astray, and committing to a path of righteousness and good deeds in the coming year.

 Bridging the Gap

So, how do we bridge the gap between the modern approach to apologies and the traditional essence of Yom Kippur?

• Storytelling: Use stories from the Torah or parables that highlight the themes of repentance and forgiveness. This will help children relate to the concepts in a more tangible way.

• Interactive Discussions: Encourage children to share instances where they might have done something wrong and how they made it right. This will foster a sense of community and understanding.

• Emphasize Empathy: Just as we teach children to understand the feelings of those they might have wronged, we can teach them to empathize with the broader community and the world. This will help them grasp the collective nature of Yom Kippur.

 While the act of saying "sorry" on Yom Kippur is deeply ingrained in our traditions, it's essential to ensure that our children understand the depth and significance behind this act. By bridging modern teaching methods with our age-old traditions, we can impart a more profound, lasting understanding of Yom Kippur to the next generation.

Storytelling in the ECE Classroom

I am excited to share this article that was published in The Jewish Educator. It is based on a session I presented at the NewCAJE conference. I spoke about storytelling in the ECE classroom, and as you know, this subject is close to my heart. The talk had additional significance because I was a member of the first cohort of the RISE Storytelling Initiative of NewCAJE. Some of that learning and experience was incorporated into the presentation, and you’ll find it in this published piece. Enjoy the read and let’s connect. I would love to know how you incorporate storytelling into your life.

Tishrei is coming!

As we approach the Tishrei holidays I want to share a story I tell using my Rosh Hashanah feltboard illustrations. I recorded a video of the story and posted it on Facebook and I hope it inspires you to tell your own Rosh Hashanah stories.

Click here to view the story.

Click here to view the Feltboard illustrations I used for this story. 

For Sukkot I have a set of feltboard illustrations that includes a build your own sukkah and pieces to teach how to assemble your own lulav and etrog. This is also a useful tool for learning numeracy skills.

Find the Sukkot round challah set here.

Find the Sukkot braided challah set here.

Enjoy the story of Tree and Bird: A Simchat Torah Adventure as Bird learns about our most festive holiday. 

You can find the Simchat Torah book here.