Sukkot brought the community together in joyful, musical celebration at Bethesda Jewish Congregation on Oct. 10.
About 90 people gathered for BJC’s annual Pizza in the Hut, followed by an outdoor Sukkot service under the stars. A family education program, the event allowed children of all ages to decorate the community sukkah, learn the prayers and make their own edible sukkahs, all while the BJC band strummed guitars and sang.
“It was a very well-attended program,” said Geryl Baer, BJC’s synagogue director.
Many of the children in attendance were BJC religious school students who got to apply what they’ve learned about Jewish tradition.
“They all had to shake the lulav and etrog before they got their little [edible sukkah] kit to build, so they really took it seriously,” said Jessica Lieberson, BJC’s communications and engagement director. “They were all excited that it was a mitzvah.”
“These positive associations create positive memories and make them want to come back next year,” Baer said.
She overheard a parent at the event tell their child, “Let’s stay for the service; it’s like a concert,” which added to the enthusiasm.
“This is our fourth year doing this program, and it has grown every year,” Baer said.
She attributes this steady growth to the celebration’s relaxed atmosphere and learning opportunities for people of all ages. “It’s a low barrier-for-entry program,” Baer said.
The outdoor setting created a casual, family-friendly environment. “Families didn’t feel embarrassed if their kid needed a moment to play on the swing before coming back to join the next song,” Baer said. “Or, when it was getting late, it was OK for them to go home for bedtime, and they were still able to get so much out of it.”
Word of mouth also helps, according to Baer: “It’s so much fun, and so people tell their friends and neighbors to come and join.”
“We’ve had a lot of success [in terms of] families that have recently joined BJC, who have really developed and created community here and are trying to expand it,” she said.
Another draw is Rabbi Eric Abbott’s ability to connect with the children of the congregation through kid-friendly education.
“Programs like Pizza in the Hut have been so successful because I think [Rabbi Abbott] has a real talent in engaging children in services,” Baer said.
The rabbi leads Saturday “mini services” before religious school. When students are “silly and trying to get a rise out of him … he has this beautiful way of not shaming,” Baer said.
She added that Abbott lets the children know that their answers are valid while still tying their ideas back to Jewish values.
“I think that’s why these programs continue to grow, because the kids feel seen by him and see that he is making space for them,” Baer said.
The BJC community also welcomed two high school students from a nearby Catholic school who were working on a project on comparative religion.
“Everybody welcomed them, and everyone was so excited to teach them about the different traditions, and they were excited,” Baer said. “Even though building the edible sukkah was for the little kids, we gave it to them, too, because we wanted them to experience it.”
“This is a congregation that loves to bring people in, and welcome the stranger, and really strengthen our community by welcoming them,” she added in reference to a core tenet of Sukkot.
Baer also spoke about the BJC community’s larger efforts to engage in interfaith programming. BJC shares building space with the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, which houses the Bradley Hills Nursery School. So, members of both institutions can enjoy the sukkah.
“The children in the preschool get to see it and are exposed to it and get to go inside of it while they’re outside,” Baer said, adding that the temporary structure is located next to the playground. “Some multi-faith families who come here for religious school, preschool or for worship really like that they’re able to see community well beyond their experiences.”
The preschool provides children’s books on Sukkot. In years past, Rabbi Abbott visited the classroom to read to students.
“Here at 6601 Bradley [Blvd.], we really try to foster a lot of interfaith programming and interfaith understanding and community building,” Baer said.
Lieberson, who is relatively new to BJC, said she already feels right at home in the community.
“It’s wonderful to be a part of [these holiday celebrations],” Lieberson said. “Everyone is very welcoming. A lot of people have been here a very long time, and they’re just incredible volunteers; the volunteers and the families are really the heart of BJC.”
The festivities are just as meaningful to Baer, who has worked at BJC for four years.
“Our congregation has been growing and thriving, and it really feels wonderful to come in and see the vibrancy and know that we’re making an impact in our Jewish community,” she said.
