Sukkot 2011- Our family traveled to Rusk, Texas to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with a group of people whom we had never met. By the end of the week we said our sad goodbyes to our new friends. It’s amazing how quickly strangers become friends when you’re camping together.
Sukkot 2012- This is the year that we went to Season’s of our Joy in Missouri. This year was especially fun because we were accompanied by two families from out local fellowship. Because this was a much larger gathering of people it was much more difficult to make new friends. In such a big group, even if you make an effort to step out of your comfort zone it’s rare that someone else will step out of their group of friends and befriend you as well. Thankfully there were a few people that were so kind as to be a friend! One friend in particular lives close enough to visit and our family loves to fellowship with them as our schedules permits.
Sukkot 2013- Our local fellowship hosted our first Sukkot, here in Indiana! This was different then any other Taberbacles event we’d ever participated. While I loved spending this time with close friends, I missed the joy of meeting new people.
Sukkot 2014- Again, our local fellowship hosted a Sukkot! This post is going to be about this year’s Sukkot. What we did, what we wish we would have done, things that were fun, things that weren’t and hopefully you’ll see why I want to do it again next year!
The first day of Sukkot this year was Wednesday, October 8th at Sundown. Because I was working on Tuesday and Wednesday I was not able to be a part of the set-up, but I heard about it and when I arrived on Wednesday night. Anyone could plainly see the results of everyone’s hard work. In one afternoon they had transformed the covered picnic area into a beautifully welcoming ‘Sukkah’ that we could enjoy many of our meals under. There were plastic grapes, lemons, and pomegranates hanging from the beams and ceiling (Also fake birds- creepy birds. Dead looking birds that hung limply from strings attached to the ceiling), the tables were covered in fall themed table cloths, baskets of peanuts and pretty pumpkin figurines reminded us to enjoy our time together. In addition to the fake sukkah, the families had built a Sukkah out of materials they had found in the woods.
| Some of the activities we did were carried on from last year! For example; Last year we had a Chili Cook-off and everyone contributed (even if they didn’t bring chilli- some brought cornbread, cheese, sour cream, all the fixings). The top 3 chilli’s were awarded a special, hand decorated spoon. Last year we had 3 select judges but this year everyone had a vote. The winner this year was a delicious white chili called ‘Great White’. |  |
‘Talent Night’ is another tradition carried on from last year. Last year it wasn’t even planned! We had actually planned to go canoeing but, when the rain prevented us from having fun in the river, the moms came up with something new. They knew that they would need an indoor activity that was fun for all ages and that everyone could participate in. Thus, the variety show was born- but all of us kids call it ‘talent night’. Talent night is a hilarious event where you can share a dance, song, skit, joke or talent in front of all your friends. Some of the acts are funny, some are serious- most are funny!
 | Last year some friends and I came up with a parody to perform. This year we did an interpretive dance. Next year’s act is a surprise :) |
Then there’s the clothespin tradition. This is a favorite with the kids (and the adults- but they wont admit it). Basically- you try and clip people with clothes pins when they’re not looking while trying to avoid being clipped yourself. Be careful or you could end up sitting on the clips that are hanging of the bottom of your shirt! This goes on all week long and you never know when someone might be trying to clip you- It’s been said that you can even be clipped in your sleep (This only happens to the most vigilant clippers because it’s impossible to undetectably clip them any other way).
Of course, don’t forget the Lulav dance. We learned the ‘lulav dance’ from a different Sukkot that we visited. It’s a simple dance that everyone can do. It ties together the two commandments; to rejoice before the Lord and to gather the four different species.
One thing we would change from this year was the amount of worship services- there weren’t enough! We only had 2 the whole time, while last year we did one everyday. Doing a service everyday is a little stressful, so, next year we will probably go somewhere in between. Usually a worship service consists of praise and worship music, a few blessings and a midrash/bible study of some sort.
Overall- it was a great Sukkot, a time of personal growth for me and a time to learn more about my fellowship family.
Sukkot is my favorite Moed to celebrate- Why don’t you come and join us? Visit the HUB at Matthew517.org!
Shalom,
Bethany:)
Shalom,
Bethany:)
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