Sukkot in Florida offers an Israeli family joy, community, and a reminder of war - opinion
A family’s Sukkot vacation at Disney World brings joy, but a conversation with an Israeli teenager reveals the lasting toll of wartime life.
On the eve of Sukkot, the reporter finds themselves in Kissimmee, Florida, staying at the Encore at Reunion vacation home community. Their youngest grandchild, Ye'ela, is visiting Disney World this year, while her older siblings have been before and their children can take time off for the holiday. The family decides to celebrate Sukkot in Florida due to Ye'ela's experiences with war and pandemic, and the desire to spend quality time with her.
They arrange for an unassembled sukkah to be delivered and find transportation services and kosher food supplies for their stay. Upon arrival, the vacation community transforms into a sukkah hub, with thatched-roof booths and private swimming pools. The family spends their first days in Disney parks, and on Sukkot eve, they set up their sukkah and enjoy festive meals together.
As they exchange greetings with neighbors and passersby, Ye'ela reflects on the stark differences between her life in Israel and that of the other young girls in her Florida neighborhood. Despite the differences, they all share in the joy of Sukkot, reaffirming their reliance on God.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
