Reflecting on our Souper Sukkah Sunday
From Moshe Kruger, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley:
Reflecting on Souper Sukkah Sunday on my drive home after the program, my heart was full in that our community event achieved its threefold purpose to:
Celebrate the autumn harvest
Commemorate the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the desert after leaving Egypt; and to
Rejoice in one of the most joyful festivals in Judaism, meant to bring families, friends and communities together.Â
The communal vibe was palpable. Our diversity, beauty, and strength of community was on full display. Special thanks to Federation’s Judy Sassler, Sinai Synagogue’s Colin Pier-Silver, and Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky of Temple Beth-El for lending their ideas and helping organize the program.
We also give gratitude to NJOP’s Sukkot Across America grant, which helped fund our community gathering. Take a look at a selection of photos below!
What made Souper Sunday so meaningful was the community participation in making Stone Soup. The soup's recipe is based on the popular folk story that we can accomplish more when people share resources and work together.
In addition, and I think this is important, we were together:Â
In community
In the Sukkah
In this very difficult year for the Jewish people.
The Federation is in the community building business. Today, along with our community partners, we showcased our unity, the mosaic nature of our Jewish identity, and our peoplehood. Through making Stone Soup, sukkah birdies and more, we embraced the deeper meaning of Sukkot: to be happy and joyful in our traditions, to care for others, and build a vibrant Jewish community in Greater South Bend and around the world.Â
Please check out our upcoming FREE Hebrew Reading Crash Course starting Monday, November 18th and running for five consecutive weeks. Course material provided by NJOP and taught by our Federation’s shaliach, Omer Karavani.
