Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot 

Without a doubt, this is my favorite time of the year. The autumn breeze, the changing colors of the leaves and the start of football season all occur (usually) at the time when we celebrate Rosh Hashanah. I relish the opportunity to stop, take a deep breath and take it all in—the hope and promise of a new year and all that might be possible. 

This Shabbat is Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot —the intermediate days of the festival of Sukkot. Following on the heels of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I think Sukkot sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. This is a shame, as I consider it one of the most enjoyable and beautiful holidays we observe. It is an opportunity for us all to separate ourselves from the comforts of our everyday lives, experience being with nature and celebrate the harvest as we spend time in our sukkahs. 

One of the most meaningful aspects of Sukkot to me is the way it instills the importance of community in my children. As they’ve grown, they have come to learn that Sukkot is not a solitary holiday, but one that is shared and celebrated with others. They look forward to “sukkah hopping”—gathering together with friends in their sukkahs as well as hosting others in ours. I believe that this is one of the most magical times of the year for our family, as the true meaning of community is clear and palpable. 

This Shabbat holds special significance for me as my youngest son, Andrew, will become a bar mitzvah. He will be surrounded by family and friends and officially become part of our Jewish community. I hope he will always embrace this community and fulfill the obligation of “Kol Yisrael aravim zeh bazeh”—“All Jews are responsible for one another.” It is not enough just to be in a community; one must be an active participant in that community to ensure it remains strong, vibrant and secure. As members of National Women’s Philanthropy, we take to heart our core mission of making sure all Jews are cared for while fostering the connections of our global Jewish community.

Community, community, community—it’s what matters most and unites us all.

I look forward to seeing many of you next month here in Washington, DC at the GA!

Shabbat shalom and chag sameach!

Shelly