Betsy Zalaznick, Religious School Director of Or Chadash in Flemington, NJ sent me wonderful emails during the Sukkot Holiday telling me how the children in her Temple used my newest book, A Watermelon in the Sukkah, to enhance their holiday experience.
Hi. We read your book on opening day to our K-4th graders. The kids loved your story. Actually—all of us did! Adults too. There was an extra twist for us (as) our kids don’t know that fruit is traditionally hung in a sukkah — a story in itself. We hang mittens and gloves which we donate so the concept of fruit is sort of unique to our kids. We typically donate them to our local food pantry. So the families get their food packages and choice of mittens/gloves/hats and scarves. We have been doing this program for sixteen years. We donate them immediately after Sukkot. We do a social action project for all holidays. Which is why your story resonated with me so much. And then we hung a watermelon in our sukkah. The watermelon and pumpkin were just perfect! Fabulous book. Betsy
I was so pleased to write back, “Thank you for sharing your story. I enjoyed looking at the photos and actually seeing that the children hung a watermelon in the sukkah amongst all the mittens. I love your twist on hanging mittens that you donate for the winter season. What a lovely mitzvah! Sylvia”