Sukkot Reflections

Sukkot is the most camp-like Jewish holiday in our tradition, perhaps explaining why it’s my favorite. It revolves around building, dwelling, and eating (and some people sleep) in a Sukkah, a temporary hut, and embraces the outdoors. That alone could make it camp-like, but there’s more to this holiday, incorporating nature and gratitude. We’re commanded to leave enough room on the roof, covered in once-living plants, to see the stars. The sukkah is temporary; it’s not meant to be a permanent structure, just like our cabins are our temporary homes for the summer (except for Chi Winkle).
Then there’s the lulav and etrog, the four species we hold and shake. They have many symbols and meanings, but what feels most camp-like is immersing ourselves in the Sukkot experience (surrounded in a sukkah) akin to immersing in the camp experience. With no screens, no connection to the “outside,” we fully embrace our time at camp, just as Sukkot is temporary.

However, the holiday isn’t solely about being outside, and camp isn’t just about outdoor activities. We’re supposed to invite strangers and special guests, Ushpizin, to our sukkah. Some families decorate their sukkah with symbols of relatives, ancestors, loved ones, or historical figures, honoring those who came before. Similarly, our dining hall is adorned with plaques commemorating past SITs who impacted Chi. During Sukkot, families invite others they might not know well into their sukkah, mirroring the inclusive and welcoming spirit of camp.
We call Sukkot Zman Simchatanu, our season of joy. For many campers and staff, Chi is their happiest time of the year, their “happy place.” On Saturday night at Havdalah, we conclude with the song Hashkivanu (song of peace). We sing in Hebrew, “Ufros Aleinu Sukkat Shlomecha,” spread over us your shelter of peace. Camp is a Sukkat Shalom, a shelter of peace, and we all eagerly anticipate returning to our Sukkat Shalom at Camp Chi year after year.