Jewish center in South Brunswick hosts community celebration of Sukkot holiday

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — About 70 members of the Jewish community gathered to celebrate in the joyous festival of Sukkot hosted by Chabad Jewish Center of South Brunswick on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Sukkot is a seven-day holiday, observed soon after Yom Kippur, which commemorates God’s protection of Jews after their exodus from Egypt.

“It’s a holiday of joy,” said Rabbi Levi Azimov of Chabad.

Observant Jews build a sukkah in their back yards. Sukkah means “hut,” the Torah-mandated outdoor shelter that is reminiscent of the “Clouds of Glory” which protected the Jews in the desert.

“Sukkot is observed by doing in your sukkah pretty much everything you do in your house like eating, learning and just hanging out,” Azimov said.

“It’s about drawing the spiritual feeling out of the synagogue and into your ordinary life,” he said.

Sunday’s festivities included fun activities for the entire family.

A juggling magic comedy show by entertainer Benjamin Lipman had the children glued to their seats. Other activities included face painting, bouncing on the moonwalk, a chance for kids to make their own edible “sukkahs” and a raffle.

“Sukkot signifies unity,” said Goldie Azimov, Rabbi Levi’s wife. “That’s why we are holding this event to bring the community together to enjoy and celebrate the holiday.”

Robert Miller, a resident of Monmouth Junction, was attending the event for the first time.

“It’s great, get to meet new people, brings us all together,” he said, as he watched his 3-year-old son Daniel play with the balloons and mingle with the other kids.