Photo 11 Credit: Freepik via Alexdon24

 2025 Fall Writing Frenzy

SUKKOT: A HOLIDAY OF LOVE AND JOY

“Ava, you’re our little artist,” says Bubbie.

“A regular Picasso,” says Zayda.  

Papa gives me high fives.

“Your decorations are going to be grand,” says Mama. “We know you’ll fill up the sukkah.”

 

I’m not sure I can. We’re celebrating Sukkot tonight!

 

I start painting six-pointed stars while my family brings baskets of apples.  

Mmmm...the sukkah hut smells like an orchard.

 

We’ll dip the apples in honey—like we do on the Jewish New Year. But for Sukkot, we’ll shake the lemony etrog and a leafy lulav bouquet.

 

Neighbors Mr. Sanchez, Mrs. Ahmad and L’tisha notice me working. 

“¿Qué pasa?” asks Mr. Sanchez.

“I’m decorating the sukkah for Sukkot. Does it look empty to you?” 

 

They say, “Es perfecto.” “It’s lovely.” “It rocks.”  

But I can tell something is missing.

 

My neighbors hug me goodbye. Right away, I know what the sukkah needs.

I paint three invitations: 

one green like Mr. Sanchez’s vest,  

one blue like Mrs. Ahmad’s hijab, 

one purple like L’tisha’s braids.

 

It’s sunset.

My family gathers to eat in the sukkah.

But the hut looks empty to me.

Then Papa says, “Shalom, neighbors!”

 

The sukkah fills up with love and joy…

 

and nothing is missing at all.

Thank you for reading! 

A huge shoutout to the hosts and judges for this contest: 

Kaitlyn Sanchez (@kaitlynleann17.bsky.social), 

Lydia Lukidis (@lydialukidis.bsky.social), and 

Aixa Pérez-Prado (@professoraixa.bsky.social). 

Thank you also to all of the generous donors.