 Sukkot, z'man simhateinu, the time of our rejoicing was truly that for the Jewish community on Temple's campus. Following Yom Kippur, Temple University students and Hillel professionals spent time constructing two sukkot on campus. One, built in the backyard of the Hillel building, was standing in under 3 hours thanks to the creative engineering talents of some Alpha Epsilon Pi brothers. The wooden frame and tarp-walled structure remained in-tact throughout the festival becoming the host for a variety of programs that were held throughout the week. The other sukkah was built in the center of campus on the plaza surrounding the Bell Tower. Prominently on display in the center of campus, this sukkah served as an attraction for Jewish and non-Jewish students as they traveled to and from classes. During the first two days of Sukkot, Hillel hosted "Shake Your Lulav" programs in the sukkah. Students were invited to enter the sukkah and recite the traditional blessings for shaking the lulav and for sitting in the sukkah. Students and faculty who visited the sukkah were treated to Israeli foods such as hummus and pita, Israeli chocolates and chips, mango and grape juices and assorted fruit. Over the course of the two days of the "Shake Your Lulav" program over 150 students and faculty visited the sukkah, shook the lulav and celebrated the holiday. One mission of Hillel is to spread Jewish life on campus. Another is to create teachable moments. With our sukkah so prominently displayed on campus both goals were achieved. While there were plenty of participating students who knew about Sukkot and its associated traditions, over half of the participants had never sat in a sukkah, had never shook the lulav or etrog and knew very little about the holiday. One student vaguely recalled a Hebrew school experience about creating a paper chain out of construction paper for her synagogue's sukkah. "This was more fun," she said about visiting Hillel's sukkah and eating Israeli foods with her friends. Faculty members were appreciative that the sukkah was on campus and many faculty members stayed to talk about their childhood recollections of the holiday. To complete the festival, Reba Carmel, Rabbinic intern, held a Simhat Torah celebration for students in the Student Activity Center. Reba led a Sefer Safari, a search through the Torah, pointing out important parts such as the Ten Commandments, the shemah, creation, Noah and the Ark, and other memorable parts. At the end of the program, students feasted on caramel coated apples. The Sukkot experience on campus is unlike many others. Sukkot does not share the solemnity of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Unlike Hanukkah, students are able to celebrate outdoors and unlike Passover, there are no dietary restrictions associated with Sukkot. The festival celebration on campus was a wonderful way for students and faculty to bond.
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