Sukkot2020


It feels so dreamy being here. 
Our first Sukkot in Israel. 
The weather is still hot but pleasant in the evening.
It is certainly unlike what we've had in the United States, eating with sweatshirts on and freezing (it actually feels so refreshing to not have to worry about rain, strong winds, and second day yom tov menu planning).

Despite the lockdown, with the spirit of the holidays harder to notice, the air is a unique calm. The sunsets are still gorgeous. We could hear hammers at work and received catering menus in anticipation (looking forward to stuffed cabbage and a special thanks to a friend for making that happen since I haven't a clue how to make it, but a yearly staple growing up). Singing this song made more sense and with the kids leading it on their own...just...melt.  

We lent out the Sukkah we lifted with us from the United States for Amudim, a seminary located in Modiin for where the lovely girls will dedicate their learning over yom tov to my mother. Since our current rental has a pergola, I can't think of a more befitting way for our four-walled contraption filled with fond memories to be utilized this year. In the meanwhile, we pieced together a temporary constructed one. A blessing of the home, hung on one of the poles (this was found during shiva, but not sure where or how it made it to my ima's closet) fits so nicely and serves as a reminder that the Sukkah is to be like our very own home. How beautiful this one is, and in due time, we hope to find our permanent residence in our special country.  

Adorned on our walls and planks to create poles (for some reason the pergola was not built properly to be a kosher sukkah -- hubby had a lot of fun figuring this out and a special thank to Rabbi Meir Sendor of Tal Orot for being on video call to help us) are art pieces the kids made since infancy and newer ones (notice the pomegranate emojis). The famous song poster display is a craft I made as a teenager with one of my sisters, a painting Josh made depicting upshpizin for his family sukkah and an orange poster my parents had in their sukkah makes for a heartwarming atmosphere in having all these pieces come together. 

Best moment, was when our 18-month-old entered after the lights were put up, pointed with his index finger and went "Woooow." Wish we captured that moment on camera (we got something close to it with his excitement over an Ikea light lantern). 

May it be a holiday of peace and beauty under the stars as we realized, given the lockdown, that everyone will be home and eating outdoors. We might, maybe just might, hear others recite kiddush and shabbat zemirot in unison or throughout the night. 

What a beautiful thought. If there's one silver lining thanks to Corona, it is that simplicity goes a long way. Hope soon, we will be able to look back and see how far we've come. 

Wishes for a speedy recovery to those who are suffering from this terrible virus. 


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