Jewish Community to Celebrate the Joyous Holiday of Sukkot
As the seasons change from summer to fall and families begin spending more time indoors, the Jewish community of South Florida will do just the opposite for one of Judaism’s most joyous holidays: we’re heading outside!
Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths, begins this year, 5787/2026, at sundown on Friday, September 25, and continues through Friday, October 2. The two-day holiday of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah immediately follows, beginning Friday evening, October 2, and concluding Sunday night, October 4.
During Sukkot, we remember G-d’s kindness and protection during the Jewish people’s journey through the desert by dwelling in a sukkah—a temporary hut covered with branches or other natural vegetation.
For seven days and nights, we eat our meals in the sukkah and otherwise regard it as our temporary home. Its fragile walls and leafy roof remind us that ultimately our security does not come only from the walls and roofs we build around ourselves, but from G-d’s protection.
Sitting beneath the sukkah’s leafy covering, looking up toward the sky, gives us an opportunity to pause and recognize the blessings that surround us. Coming immediately after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Sukkot gives us a wonderful opportunity to take the inspiration of the High Holidays and transform it into joy.
Is It a Lemon? Is It a Lime?
Another unique Sukkot practice involves one of the most unusual-looking fruits you’ll find: the etrog.
It may look a little like an oversized lemon, but the etrog is one of the Four Kinds used on Sukkot: an etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadassim (myrtle branches) and aravot (willow branches).
Etrogim are grown in several parts of the world, including Israel, Italy and Morocco, and choosing a beautiful etrog is itself a treasured pre-Sukkot tradition.
The lulav, hadassim and aravot are bound together, and together with the etrog are held during the holiday. Each day of Sukkot, except Shabbat, we recite a blessing over the Four Kinds, bring them together and wave them in all six directions—east, south, west, north, upward and downward.
The Four Kinds symbolize, among other things, the different types and personalities that make up the Jewish people. We may look different, think differently and have different strengths, but on Sukkot we physically bring them together, emphasizing the intrinsic unity of the Jewish people.
This year has an interesting twist: the first day of Sukkot falls on Shabbat, so the Four Kinds are not taken that day. The first opportunity to perform the mitzvah of lulav and etrog will be Sunday, September 27, the second day of Sukkot.
A Holiday You Can See, Smell, Touch and Taste
Sukkot is perhaps Judaism’s most sensory holiday.
We smell the beautiful fragrance of the etrog. We feel the palm, myrtle and willow branches in our hands. We see the decorations and greenery surrounding us in the sukkah. We hear the sounds of family and friends celebrating together. And, of course, we taste the delicious holiday meals enjoyed beneath the sukkah roof.
In fact, Sukkot is referred to in our prayers as “Zman Simchateinu”—the Season of Our Rejoicing.
Coming just five days after Yom Kippur, Sukkot teaches us that Judaism is not only about solemn prayer and introspection. After the seriousness of the High Holidays comes an explosion of happiness, togetherness and celebration.
Come Visit a Sukkah
Chabad centers and synagogues throughout South Florida will be helping families celebrate Sukkot, whether by providing guidance on building a sukkah, offering opportunities to use a lulav and etrog, or hosting holiday meals and celebrations.
For those who may not have access to a sukkah of their own, a public sukkah will once again be available at Highland Lakes Park throughout the Sukkot holiday. The sukkah is open to anyone in the community who needs a sukkah and is being generously sponsored by Commissioner Micky Steinberg and Chabad Chayil. Whether you live nearby, are visiting the area, or simply need a convenient place to fulfill the mitzvah, you are welcome to stop by and use the sukkah during the holiday.
At Chabad Chayil, we will also have a sukkah available for the community, as well as a lulav and etrog for anyone who would like to perform the mitzvah.
While communal sets are available, it is preferable for each person or family to own a lulav and etrog set of their own. We will have a selection of etrogim from Israel, Italy and Morocco, along with several grades of lulavim, available for those wishing to purchase their own set.
You are also welcome to join us for a community meal in the sukkah, on Shabbat or during the holiday.
And if you can’t make it during scheduled programming, our sukkah is there for you. Day or night, come by and use it. We’ll leave the lights on for you!
A lulav and etrog set will also be available for community use during the daytime throughout Chol Hamoed.
To learn more about Sukkot, reserve for community celebrations, or order your own Lulav & Etrog set, visit ChabadChayil.org/Sukkah or ChabadChayil.org/High-Holidays, or call 305-770-1919.
After the introspection of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Sukkot reminds us that serving G-d is also about celebrating the blessings He has given us.
So this Sukkot, step outside. Sit beneath the branches. Enjoy a meal under the stars. Pick up a lulav.
And if someone asks whether that unusual yellow fruit is a lemon or a lime, you’ll know the answer:
Neither. Try an etrog!
About the author:
Rabbi Kievman together with his wife are the ambassadors of The Rebbe to West Aventura, FL. They are the founders of Gan Chabad Preschool, your local CTeen & CKids chapters, CHAP – an afterschool program for Jewish children in Public Schools and direct Chabad Chayil. He’s the rabbi at The Family Shul and can be reached at (305) 770-1919 or [email protected]
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