Today is the last day of Sukkot which is the last of a succession of several Jewish holidays in Israel.
Sunday of last week I got invited via another non-Jewish friend* to a party in a religious area of Jerusalem close to Meir Sherim. There must of been 40-50 people in this structure, food was pretty good, my favourite was salmon in some kind of spicey sauce. The religious Jews there ranged from Kippor wearing Americans on holiday from Texas to Ultra Orthodox with fox fur hats and stripey gowns, there were some Russian people there as they had a torah in their language. Its touching that many Jews are happy to invite strangers over to their communities for this special holiday, and make sure there is enough food and seats for extra people to come at short notice, including anyone who might be lonely or away from family to join in.
Two days ago, on a Saturday I went to a friend’s house who teaches Hebrew and had another meal there too.
A lot of restaurants provide Sukkot tents outside their establishments for patrons to sit and eat.
* I meant to say, on the first party I went to, my friend who brought me along is an Arab believer in Jesus, perhaps seems unlikely story, but its thrilling to see genuine friendships between Jews and Arabs here. On the way we got approached outside a different religious area by Orthodox Jews asking if we could help as their electricity and gone off and they needed someone gentile to flip the breaker switch, which they felt uncomfortable doing as it was a religious holiday, so we were happy to help.
All the holidays are now done, and its back to work tomorrow, no more holidays until Hanukah which is at the early part of December this year, as sometimes it runs parallel with Christmas.
Oh, something else very significant, both the early on in the festival of Sukkot and the last day, it rained! Although we are in October it seems a little bit early for rain season.
Brit In Jerusalem 