All across Ukraine, Jews will celebrate Sukkot, the “festival of the harvest” or the “festival of huts,” with joy, commemoration, and unity.
Sukkot is the most joyous of holidays, filled with fun, traditions, and ceremonies: “[a]nd you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a splendid tree, branches of palm trees, and boughs of a thick-leaved tree, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the L-rd your G-d for seven days” (Vayikra 23).
Over the past few weeks our staff and volunteers have been busy preparing for holiday, including distributing sets of “four species” or “four kinds” to thousands of families: an etrog (citron), a lulav (palm frond), three hadassim (myrtle twigs) and two aravot (willow twigs)
Throughout the holiday, candles will be lit, meals will be eaten in the Sukkah, and prayers will be said over the lulav and etrog. In many cities and villages, large Sukkot will be erected, where people will enjoy communal meals and celebrations.
During this very special time of year, we are reminded that “all Jews are responsible for one another” (Talmud, Shevuot 39a). It is an honor and privilege to help the Jews of Ukraine endure these challenging times, showing them that they are not alone and not forgotten.
Together we save lives and restore hope.
