WFHA Celebrates Sukkot
Peals of laughter rang from WFHA’s Sukkah as the school’s kindergarten, first and second graders watched in delight while their teachers performed “Lulav: The Musical.”
The off, off, off Broadway production, which was written by kindergarten teacher Julie Thaler and starred a cast of WFHA’s staff, was one of several special Sukkot activities to take place throughout the holiday.
The children delighted in seeing their teachers 
wearing funny costumes and hamming it up on stage, as they acted and sang about a Rabbi who was stumped by what the children should bring to shul to celebrate Sukkot.
It wasn’t until the Rabbi falls asleep that the etrog, arava, hadas and lulav, all played by different teachers, present themselves in a dream. When the Rabbi awakens, he asked the students in the audience to help him realize that all the parts of the lulav were necessary to bring to shul. Just like the parts of the body they represent, each part of the lulav is necessary for the others to perform fully.
“It was hysterical,” said second-grader Caroline Greenblatt, who like many of her fellow classmates doubled over in laughter at the antics taking place on stage.
“I liked it the most when the Rabbi put on his pajamas,” chimed in second-grader Stav Chasnoff, referring to a scene when the Rabbi put on a pair of silly pj’s before going to sleep.
Throughout Chol HaMoed Sukkot, or the intermediate days of the holiday when creative work is permitted, all of the school's students and staff gathered under the Sukkah each day for lunch, as well as special class and group activities.
The third through eighth graders celebrated with an activity that took them back to the past. Each of the eighth graders dressed up as characters from biblical times —such as Abraham and Sarah, Yitzchak and Rebecca, Yaacov, Rachel and Leah. They visited the Sukkah as Ushpizin, or the special guests who are invited to the Sukkah. The third through seventh graders sat at seven tables and each came up with a special way to greet the guests, practicing Hachnasat Orchim, or hospitality.
Each table was given foods representing each of the seven species mentioned in the Bible — such as pomegranates, fig newtons, crackers, olives and dates— so they could prepare meals to welcome their visitors. As the biblical guests went to each table, they were greeted with a creative feast and plenty of questions. Many engaging and lively conversations ensued. In the end, each table voted for their most honored guest and the ushpizin voted which group provided the best, most creative hospitality.
“This activity truly brought to life the specialness of our biblical ancestors to each of our students, and helped them to understand why it is so important to look to our past to teach us how to act in the present,” said Erica Sokoloff, WFHA’s director of Jewish life.
The celebrations ended with students in all grades concocting sweet Lulav Shakes. The recipe is as follows: Take chocolate chip ice cream, representsing myrtle eyes; lime sherbert, representing willow lips; green Laffy Taffy, representing the lulav spine; and lemon Air Heads, representing Etrog, mix them all together and …. YUM!