Fall offers a lot of beautiful things, including a lot of wonderful holidays. Sukkot is one of them – the Jewish holiday of unbridled joy bursts through our doors after the more solemn occasions of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Sukkot has consistently been cited as the favorite holiday among children.
Kids and adults can participate in the celebration of Sukkot, which is a wonderful way to welcome fall and learn more about Jewish history and customs. We’ve gathered some new and entertaining suggestions for celebrating Sukkot as a family, whether you’ve done so for years or are planning to do so for the first time. Here are some ideas for making Sukkot enjoyable for your family and kids.
1. The Season of Our Joy
Z’man Simchateinu, the name of Sukkot, means “a time of joy and happiness.” Enjoying family meals, taking kosher vacations, the upbeat music, and the experience of sitting outside in a sukkah are some of the holiday’s most joyous traditions. Sukkot also inspires us to recognize our many blessings on a deeper level.
We can focus on what is truly important by spending a week outside in a makeshift sukkah/tent, which helps us recognize all the blessings in our lives. It is simpler to comprehend and recognize how dependent we are on the Divine and how fortunate we are to be alive, healthy, and safe when we know that every moving cloud and every breeze affects our well-being.
2. Constructing the Sukkah
Even though it might seem like a daunting task, building your Sukkah can be a fun family project—and a reasonably straightforward one at that. Consider ordering a simple, ready-to-assemble sukkah from a website like The Sukkah Center or Sukkah Depot if you have the time and the desire. Everyone can have a great time doing this, especially with the brisk autumn air. Find ways for each member of the family to participate.
The older kids can do the heavier building, and the younger kids can help gather supplies and decorate. Any outdoor area you can access can be used to construct a sukkah, including your backyard, front lawn, or even a rooftop! However, the Sukkah should be situated where the sky can be seen, not under a roof, canopy, or an overhanging tree.
There are numerous opportunities to rent a sukkah if you cannot construct one yourself. Synagogues frequently host gatherings for families to decorate sukkahs. Or you could inquire if your family can assist a friend who makes sukkahs.
Watch this to get a glimpse of what it looks like:
3. A Meal in the Sukkah
The Sukkah serves as your unofficial residence during the Sukkot holiday, but you are not required to sleep there. You can spend the night where you usually live and only visit the Sukkah during the day. But eating there is unquestionably traditional.
It is customary to consume at least one piece of bread in the Sukkah. No other specific foods must be consumed during Sukkot, but families typically enjoy traditional Jewish fare like challah dipped in honey, matzo ball soup, and kreplach. 7 To add to the fun of cooking these meals with your family, get the kids involved.
Your family can also consider fall-themed offerings like freshly picked apples since Sukkot is a harvest festival. No other specific foods must be consumed during Sukkot, but families typically enjoy traditional Jewish fare like challah dipped in honey, matzo ball soup, and kreplach. 7 To add to the fun of cooking these meals with your family, get the kids involved.
Winding up
Sukkot is one of the most enjoyable and exciting Jewish holidays for children, and it’s a beautiful chance to involve the entire family. Regardless of your religious beliefs, it’s a unique opportunity to enjoy the splendors of the fall season.
Whatever way you choose to observe Sukkot, remember that spending time with your loved ones, partaking in time-honored customs, and beginning new traditions that your children will never forget are the most significant aspects of the holiday.
