Great beauty exists within the holiday of Sukkot. The autumn chag gives us the opportunity to commemorate the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years on the way to the Promised Land, and provides us the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God. In addition, the experiences of the holiday create unity, build relationships, and influence our gratitude, due to the main symbol of Sukkot: the sukkah. Exposed to the sky and open on one side, this temporary and sensitive structure holds depth and hidden lessons, leaving an imprint on our minds and souls.
Like a sukkah, Hillel Day School is a temporary space for our children where life long lessons are learned. Although the sukkah is a short-lived structure, it has a great impact on our unity as Jews. Its walls embrace all its members, and ironically, the vulnerable space provides a sense of security. The protection from God is present while family, friends, and neighbors come together to recite prayers, consume food, and tell stories. Even with the cool air, a feeling of warmth and safety exists, bringing us closer together. And, at the same moment, in another sukkah, other Jews experience the same connection, unifying our People globally. So too is Hillel. Within our walls, there is an understanding that each student has a unique soul and the teachers provide security and warmth for all our students. Core Jewish Values are integrated into classroom experiences, uniting us as Jews.
Through unity and security, relationships strengthen. Thinking about the holiday of Sukkot, from the construction and decorating of the sukkah, to the happenings within the temporary home, relationships are built between each other, and God. The sukkah reminds us that humans are social beings, dependent upon one another. The mitzvah of entering a sukkah provides a time in our busy lives to stop and be present and enjoy others’ company. Similarly, Hillel is a united community that emphasizes strong relationships and incorporates Jewish and life values. Like the sukkah, relationships built within Hillel, human to human or human to God, leave an imprint beyond the school day, and offer an understanding that something is bigger in life beyond the tangible items in our secure home.
During Sukkot, we are reminded to take a moment to appreciate the little miracles of our day: the sights and sounds of nature, the laughter of family and friends, and the subtle presence of God. We are encouraged to remember our values as the Jewish People, and say thank you for our blessings, large and small. This holiday is also a perfect opportunity for us to look at the depths and beauty of a Hillel Day School education, which provides a rich foundation for our children’s future well beyond graduation. As the Torah tells us, the sukkah was only a temporary dwelling space for the Israelites, as they journeyed from Egypt to Israel. While Hillel is also a temporary home in each child’s ultimate journey through life, both the sukkah and Hillel share one final key feature: the lessons learned during this critical time transcend the time spent in the given space, and make a difference in their minds and souls forever.
