Sukkot with Rochel

By Steven Troy, Adjutant of Post 212

JWV Scottsdale Post 210 celebrated their 2nd annual Sukkah party on Sunday, October 8th, hosted by Commander Rochel Hayman and her family. This year the invitation was extended to the members of the Department of the Southwest.  The Department of Southwest is composed of 5 Posts covering Arizona and New Mexico.  The three Phoenix Posts were represented; they are Scottsdale Post 210, Valley of the Sun Post 194 and Copper State Post 201.  Upon arrival, guests were given a tour and explanation of the Sukkot holiday, also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles, and of the spacious Sukkah itself by Rabbi Dan Hayman.  Almost everyone took the opportunity to shake the lulav and etrog; a few members very excitedly mentioned it was the first time in their life to have ever done so.  A little history lesson, Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection G-d provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt.  On this holiday, Jews are commanded to bind together a palm frond, or “lulav” with two other branches called “haddasim” and “arovot”, and holding them together with an “etrog” these “four species” are used in the holiday rituals.  (An etrog is a yellow citron, according to the Torah it is a beautiful fruit). 

Members, family members and guests enjoyed a beautiful buffet complete with eggplant parmesan, baked ziti, garlic bread, pumpkin cranberry muffins, a refreshing fruit relish and apple-cranberry-plum cake. While Commander Hayman and Rabbi Hayman both gave Dvar Torah on Sukkot and especially it’s holistic inclusiveness, Department JVC Lenore “Lee” Katz, guest and new member active duty LTC Moshe Bennett, and other JWV members spoke and shared interesting anecdotes of their holiday experiences on active duty and beyond. Frequent L’Chaims were shared as well. 

Attending from Post 619 were the Commander Mort Huskey and his family, Evan, Steven, Brigid, Sophie and Lenore.   From Post 194, Lou & Ruth Kelter and Lenore (Lee) Katz.  From Post 210  Commander Rochel Hayman & Rabbi Dan Hayman, Jonathan Sorrell, Rhonna Bolton, Moshe Bennett, Susan Conwisar & Mel  Brody, Steven Troy, Michael & Ahuva Chambersand guest Nathan Brownstein.   The weather and temperature were perfect for enjoying the Sukkah. 

Volume 71. Number 4. Winter 2017