By Pam Schlosberg, WLCJ International President
…How is your sense of direction? Mine inspires a special prayer of gratitude for the brilliant mind behind that wonder-filled GPS App called WAZE.
Before GPS, every car trip for me was an adventure—one that often involved driving around in circles and simply hoping that, when I finally stopped, I would be somewhere near my intended destination. I envied those fortunate people blessed with an innate sense of north, south, east, and west—or those who seemed to carry an entire database of street names in their heads. My navigational needs required simple directions such as, “Turn left at the light, and you’ll see the sign on your right next to the Bagel Heaven Cafe.”
Life may be about the journey—but thanks to WAZE, it no longer has to be about the stress of the adventure!
In the zoom-speed of life with its unexpected twists, sudden turns, and occasional detours, a little GPS-like guidance is welcomed as well. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l, recognized that herein lies the genius of Judaism: it takes eternal truths and transforms them into time and into experiences.
Together, our High Holidays, our festivals, and our sacred North Star, Shabbat, are a Jewish GPS – a God-Guided Protective Sojourn. Each becomes a meaningful stop along our way: an opportunity to pause, refresh body and spirit, recalibrate our inner compass, and set out with renewed purpose and direction.
And so it is for Sukkot, an 8-day celebration we soon begin. In preparation, we build a fragile, space of modest demands: two complete walls and part of a third, along with a roof of natural material, s’chach. The roof offers shade during the day while leaving enough open space for us to glimpse with wonder at the stars of night. Each sukkah reflects the artful skillset of family and friends who exuberantly decorate the entrance way, wall and tables. Creativity abounds from banners, Israel posters, and hand-crafted object created from gourds, fruit, autumn leaves to multi-colored paper garlands.
These interiors will never be featured in Architectural Digest, yet the total effect is magical, light, and engaging, inviting us to enter its space. Within, we discover an oasis of time where we can simply think about how we’re managing this very complex journey of our life.
As Rabbi Abraham Heschel noted, Sukkot reflects a basic goal of Jewish living, to experience commonplace deeds as spiritual adventures, to feel the hidden love and wisdom in all things. Sukkot is truly our personal sacred stop along life’s journey, reminding us that we do not need elaborate surroundings to find shelter, meaning, or a sense of God’s guiding presence.
Vulnerability and Joy.
Each day of Sukkot, we leave the security of our homes for the fragile shelter of the sukkah. We are meant to feel vulnerable, yet we are also commanded to rejoice: “You shall be akh sameach—only joyous” (Deuteronomy 16:15). Sukkot becomes a seminar in happiness.
Our spiritual GPS has not lost its signal. Sukkot is also Zman Simchateinu, “the season of our rejoicing.” Its melody is not the superficial “Don’t worry, be happy,” but a quieter song of gratitude—one that helps us recognize the extraordinary blessings within life’s simplest moments.
Sukkot guides us directly through our vulnerability, reminding us to embrace all that life offers and to remain mindful and grateful for each precious moment, especially when tomorrow comes with no guarantees. Together, vulnerability and joy renew our faith and strengthen our courage to live fully amid uncertainty as we travel toward whatever lies ahead.
We need only to stop and listen, becoming very still so that the chatter of our mind no longer blocks our God’s whispering in our heart. We need only to stop and listen—becoming so still that we need only to whisper our prayers—and we’re strengthened. We need only stop and listen to the prayers and songs of Sukkot to renew our spirit and find hope.
With Sukkot, we begin to give structure and substance to the year ahead, not only in our personal lives but also as women of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. For Women’s League offers each of us opportunities to learn and grow, to be and to do—and to lift our voices together along the way.
Together may we find strength to strive for better, the courage to be a force for good, the energy to live all that we can offer and in all things be a blessing.
Hag Sukkot Sameach,
Pam Schlosberg
WLCJ International President
pschlosberg@wlcj.org
