Sukkot is a little like Thanksgiving because it is a festival for giving thanks for many things, like food and shelter. This year in particular we have much to be thankful for, and this gratitude has definitely been felt throughout our Sukkot celebrations.
From coffee and snacks in the sukkah for staff on Tuesday morning before school, to students having classes in the sukkah, and a very special virtual Sukkot tea for our grandparents, the King David sukkah has been very well utilized this year! This was a big challenge, as we needed to ensure students were in their cohorts or family bubbles and that COVID safety protocols were followed. The weather really worked in our favour, allowing us all to spend time in the sukkah. The sukkah serves as a reminder of our connection to nature, and a little grounding in the natural world is something we all need – even more so now, at this difficult time.
Besides spending time in our sukkah, students celebrated Sukkot with the arba minim, a group of three plants bound together with straw: the lulav (palm frond), aravot (willow), hadassim (myrtle), and the etrog (citron), The plants symbolize the various fruits of the earth but also the different kinds of people integral to a strong community. Again, this is truly representative of the strength of the King David family and the Vancouver Jewish community.
As we do every year, we hosted a Grandparents’ Tea in the sukkah. But instead of bringing grandparents to the school, the event was held remotely. The greatest benefit of hosting a virtual Grandparents’ Tea this year was the opportunity to welcome grandparents from across the globe – Puerto Rico, Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Quebec, Ontario, California, Brazil, and Vancouver! If you would like to watch the video, please click on the image below.
“My thanks to King David for figuring out a way for us not to miss the Grandparents’ Tea this year. Amazing how technology is able to connect us during these difficult times. The students, teachers, and Rabbi Berger were absolutely wonderful. Todah rabah, a shaynem dank to all of you.”
~ Grandparent of a Grade 12 student
