Are We Talking About “The Holidays” Already?

Yesterday I got a catalog in the mail that said, “It’s not too late to get holiday gifts for everyone on your list!” I hope not. It’s October.

 Then today I saw this post by an acquaintance on Facebook:

So, good for him. And at least he isn’t assuming Hannukah is the Jewish Christmas. But I don’t really want to be wished a Merry Christmas. It always makes me feel so awkward. After all of these years, I still never know how to respond. I usually just mumble, “You, too.”

Am I wrong? Should I just "get over it" like this person says? And what's the right response? I'd like to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment.

Second Annual Sunday Sukkah Hop

Welcome to my second annual virtual sukkah hop, brought to you by Temple Sholom's first annual actual sukkah hop, which took place yesterday.

We began at Temple Sholom's sukkah, where rabbi Abraham explained that it is a mitzvah to eat in the sukkah during Sukkot:

We all noshed on some pumpkin bread, then it was on to the Saltzman sukkah:

Rabbi Abraham helped Noah shake the lulav

Then we all hopped in our cars and drove to the Brenner sukkah:

Next up was Ellen Berman's sukkah:

And last, but not least, the Lieberman sukkah:

Sukkah Decorating

So far, our sukkah looks a lot like it did last year. But I love the ideas in this article by Temple Beth El Mekor Chayim in Cranford. I think it's time to take a trip to the crafts store!

Do you have some decorating ideas we should know about? Share them by leaving a comment!