JERUSALEM, Israel – Here in Jerusalem and throughout the world, Jews are celebrating the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, known as Sukkot in Hebrew.
They build small sukkahs or booths, following the scriptures, to remember how God provided for and protected the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land. Israelis are not letting the ongoing war in Gaza and northern Israel affect their celebrations.
The difference from other years is that many people who would have been home to mark the holy days are gone. Most tourists are not coming to Israel this year, and so many relatives and friends are off serving their nation on the battlefronts.
Those missed the most are the hostages in Gaza. Their absence is marked by a long table set up in Tel Aviv at Hostages Square, complete with place settings for the missing.
Tel Aviv resident Annette Crandell said, “On some level, I hope that they can feel that we all love them and we’re waiting for them to come home already. It’s just been too long. Another Sukkot, a year.”
One group that does keep showing up in the Holy Land to support Israel is especially appreciated
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