Pinterest Pick Thursdays

For our Jewish friends and neighbors today is the first day of Sukkot.  Sukkot  (sue-coat) is a time of celebration when our Jewish friends and neighbors honor their ancestors, who traveled for 40 years through the desert, before reaching the promised land of Israel.  During their travels, the Israelite's would construct temporary homes out of branches and palms.  A singular home was known as a Sukkah (rhymes with book-ah).  The plural of Sukkah is Sukkot, which is where we get the name of this holiday.

Stock photo of a Sukkah, complete with 3 walls, a roof
made of branches, decorations, and a table.

Sukkot is also a harvest festival - a time to be grateful and give thanks for all that G-d has provided.  In just over a week, we will hold our own harvest celebration at church.  We'll celebrate with an intergenerational harvest service, collect an offering for Shiloh food pantry, and then gather in the Ellen Hall room for a potluck.  The following week, your child will continue the celebration, and honor our 7th principle, with a harvest feast - where they will sample seasonal fruits and veggies, and learn about harvest celebrations in other cultures.

Stock photo of a harvest table.

Bring the concept of 'The Harvest' home with this week's pinterest pick...

Pinterest Pick of the Week
Harvest Celebration

Faith Formation Component
Community

Time for Activity
A Day

Recommended Age
All Ages

Materials
Some money, baking supplies, building blocks

Activities
The harvest is celebrated around the world - from the Yam Festival in West Africa, to the Mid-Autumn festival in East Asia.  The harvest was a significant time of year for our ancestors, and still is for many around the world as it means survival.  However, in our super industrialized culture, where food magically appears in our local supermarket prepackaged for our convenience, we often loose sight of this significance.  In addition, it is easy for us to forget just how dependent we are on our Earth.

You can explore these harvest themes by visiting a local farm - pick apples or pumpkins, or buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the farmer's market.  Some local farms, such as Neiderman Farm in Hamilton Ohio and Sunrock Farm in Northern Kentucky, also have corn-mazes and hay-rides that the entire family can enjoy.  Some questions to explore while visiting the farm...

• Where does this food (and all food) come from?
• Why would people celebrate the harvest?
• What principles can we connect to the harvest?
• What are your favorite fall foods?

At the end of your visit, take your food home and make a special treat or meal with the food you picked up at the farmers market.  Involve your children in any way possible.  Even a child as young 1.5 can smash graham crackers for a pie crust.  Finally, don't forget to enjoy your tasty teat or meal together!  A big part of celebrating the harvest is enjoy the foods you love with the people you love.

If you wish to extend the activity and learn more about Sukkot, you can get an overview of the holiday here, view a special Sesame Street program about Sukkot below, and/or create a model Sukkah out of building blocks or food.

Original Sources
Inspiration for today's activities comes from Jennifer Eblin.  Sukkot overview provided by The Board of Jewish Education.  YouTube playlist compiled by me, Meredith Plummer.  And sukkah instructions can be found at Bible Belt Balabusta.

Don't forget, Sunday, October 19, bring a donation for Shiloh and a dish to share for the potluck!

Until then, Happy Harvest!

- Ms. Meredith