Sukkot

Sitting Under the Stars: My First Sukkot as a Converting Jew

By: Frank Marchese | Becoming Ezra Shmuel

This year, I had the joy of celebrating Sukkot for the very first time — and it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my conversion journey so far.

Building the Sukkah

When I first learned that Sukkot is the “Festival of Booths,” I didn’t fully grasp its power until I helped build our temple’s sukkah. Piece by piece, beam by beam, I watched our community come together to create something sacred from simple materials. It wasn’t just about building a temporary shelter — it was about building connection, faith, and gratitude.
Standing there with the hammer in my hand, I realized that this act wasn’t symbolic — it was spiritual labor. Every knot tied, every wall raised felt like I was helping to rebuild part of my own faith foundation.

Lunches in the Sukkah

Throughout the week, I had the privilege of sharing daily lunches with my rabbi inside the sukkah. Each afternoon, under the open sky, we sat together surrounded by greenery, sunlight, and the gentle sound of wind through the branches.
Our conversations were about faith, about life, about what it means to truly dwell in the moment. There was laughter, deep reflection, and quiet peace. Those lunches reminded me that holiness can be found in simple, human connection — in breaking bread, sharing stories, and being fully present.

Blessing the Lulav and Etrog

One of the most powerful moments came when my rabbi and I blessed the lulav and etrog together. Holding them in my hands for the first time felt profound — the weight of tradition, history, and meaning all at once.
As we recited the blessings, waving the lulav in all directions, I could feel the symbolism come alive: that God’s presence is everywhere — north, south, east, west, above, and below. It was humbling, grounding, and deeply spiritual.

A Season of Joy and Gratitude

Sukkot is known as z’man simchateinu — “the time of our joy” — and I finally understood why. It’s a celebration of gratitude, of impermanence, and of finding peace in the present moment.
As someone on the journey of becoming Jewish, this holiday reminded me that faith doesn’t just live in books or prayer services — it lives in community, in shared meals, in the act of building something together.

This Sukkot, I didn’t just build a sukkah — I built belonging.

Chag Sameach, friends — may your sukkah, like your heart, always be open to light, laughter, and love.

Rabbi Poulin & myself with the lulav and etrog