During Sukkot, we gather in a sukkah , or temporary shelter, to celebrate the fullness of life, to welcome others, and to experience our own vulnerability.

Sukkot, which begins on the fifth day after Yom Kippur, marks a dramatic transition from the most solemn holiday to one of the most joyous.

Along with Passover and Shavuot, Sukkot is a pilgrimage festival with both historical and agricultural meanings. It celebrates the 40-year period in which the Israelites wandered in the desert, living in temporary shelters, and it celebrates the harvest.

Sukkot lasts seven days, and the two days following it, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, are separate holidays considered by some to be a part of Sukkot.

Last year, the nonprofit Tivnu built a new sukkah for Havurah's courtyard. Our new sukkah is big enough for large groups of Havurah members to gather in, including our entire Shabbat School. In this photo taken by Michael Heumann, members of all ages gather to sing in the sukkah.