Chabad prepares for Sukkot holiday

Education for children of all ages in weeklong holiday traditions Monroe — As the Sukkot holiday approached, Chabad educated children of all ages in the beauty and joy of the festive week-long holiday, which began at sundown on Monday, Oct. 13. At Chabad’s Mommy and Me with a Jewish Twist, led by Chana Burston, moms and babies enjoyed singing Sukkot songs and finger plays, learning about the holiday traditions from puppets and shaking a stuffed lulav and etrog (the four kinds). Participants of Torah Troopers, ages 3-5 years, decorated a giant Sukkah, climbed into a child-sized play Sukkah and created healthy “edible” sukkah projects out of graham crackers, jelly, pretzel rods, celery and dill. Chabad Hebrew School children, ages 5-13, experienced a unique Sukkah lesson while sitting in the Sukkah of Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston. They learned about the history of the holiday and how its messages relate to contemporary times. All enjoyed creative Sukkah puzzle crafts and ice cream sundaes. The Chabad Boy’s Teen Club, led by Rabbi Pesach Burston, learned about how to build a Sukkah by assisting Rabbi Pesach in building the Chabad community Sukkah. Lessons for our times “Sukkot is filled with deep lessons for our times,” said Chana Burston. She explained that Sukkot recounts the miracle of the “clouds of glory” which surrounded and protected the Jewish people after they left Egypt for forty years as they traversed the Sinai Desert prior to their entry into the land. “This holiday radiates with themes of joy, unity and faith in G-d,” Chana adds. “We remember G-d’s kindness and reaffirm our trust in His providence by dwelling in a Sukkah-a hut of temporary construction with a roof covering of branches.” Chabad will also be hosting programs throughout the holiday, including a community Sukkah festival, “Pizza in the Hut” for families on Sunday, Oct. 19. For more information call Chabad at 782-2770, e-mail rabbi@ChabadOrange.com or visit ChabadOrange.com.