Celebrating Seasonal and Lunar Cycles

Three children with pumpkins

I love autumn. Growing up in Miami, the change in seasons was far more subtle, which is why I jump for joy at the first signs of a new season here in the DC area. The crispness in the air, the glorious colors on the trees, the ability to pick apples and pumpkins at a farm (not just at Publix)…all of these make me so glad I live here and get to share this with my children.

Marking these differences in the season are a fun activity to do with your family—whether on a family walk or an outing to a national park. Take along a camera or some paper and colored pencils for each of you to capture what you see. Sukkot, like many other Jewish holidays, begins on the 15th of the lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. This year, that’s Friday, October 2, at sundown. Print out this Moon Cycle tracker and take note of the changes at nighttime, not just those we can see during the day.

And speaking of cycles, in the same way that we celebrate Simchat Torah (“rejoicing in the Torah”) by finishing the annual reading of the Torah and starting again, we recognize the importance of traditions and of returning to the same story because we are not the same as we were last year. Taking note and taking stock of the differences, whether they’re subtle or obvious, will bring a renewed sense of joy and wonder.

Chag sameach (happy holiday),

Sarah

P.S. – One of the other reasons I love fall? So I can jump in a giant pile of leaves!

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