Sukkot

At Sukkot, Jews remember the Israelites’ 40 years of exile in the desert, living in makeshift dwellings, before they reached the promised land. Sukkot is also known as the ‘Feast of the Tabernacles’ or the ‘Feast of Booths’.

Who celebrates?

Jewish people around the world.

How do people celebrate?

• For the duration of the festival Jewish families live in temporary huts called sukkot
• Each day they hold celebrations with four types of symbolic plants: palm, myrtle, willow and a special citrus fruit called an etrog.

What should I know?

• Sukkot is intended to be a joyful festival that lets Jews live close to nature and know that God is taking care of them
• Living in the Sukkot reminds Jewish people that God is their only real source of protection
• People in cold countries are able to just take meals in the Sukkot rather than sleep in them
• In the 2011 census 271,259 people identified as Jewish in the UK.

How can I support others?

• Be aware that due to a number of holidays during September, some Jewish colleagues may take extra holiday this month
• Recognise that it is not a time of celebration but of reflection and repentance
• Do not assume that because someone is Jewish they will be celebrating
• Talk to your team about the religious representation among your volunteer, employee, and service user population and if it’s representative of your area.

Jewish Museum London: Sukkot: https://jewishmuseum.org.uk/schools/asset/celebrate-sukkot/

Mayim  Bialik explains Sukkot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KedtBcgh4oQ&pbjreload=101

Sukkot recipes: https://www.thespruceeats.com/sukkot-menus-and-recipes-2122443