Most people probably know Sukkot as the holiday where people build huts in their yards; a holiday that often plays second fiddle to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in American homes. Dedicated to celebrating and appreciating the harvest season, the holiday has deep roots, serving as a reminder of the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert post-exodus from Egypt.

Accordingly, Sukkot is a time to enjoy with family and friends, and to consider the state of the world and our community. Whether or not you get to building a sukkah, here a few creative ways to make Sukkot your own:

1. Get outside and go apple- or pumpkin-picking. In New England, apple-picking is the ultimate sign of fall and harvest, and it’s the perfect way to fully appreciate the season. Boston Magazine has a great list of the top 10 spots to pick.

2. Get your tickets now for the pop-up dinner celebration at Branch Line on Oct. 20. The chic restaurant patio plays a sukkah perfectly, and the seasonally inspired menu by Chef Ivan will be top-notch. Tickets here, brought to you by the Jewish Arts Collaborative, Kitchen Kibitz and Ganei Beantown.

3. Do some feel-good decorating. This pinboard has a variety of simple ways to decorate to bring a taste of the outdoors and harvest inside. It doesn’t hurt that Sukkot falls near Halloween this year; load up on pumpkins and gourds and you can’t go wrong!

4. Go for a long walk outside to enjoy the glory of nature and the beauty that is fall in New England. The crisp air and colored leaves don’t last for long; take this as the opportunity to take it all in. The Kennard Park sculpture trail is up through Nov. 11 and will inspire!

5. Donate to a homeless shelter. As we think about what it means to be homeless and to wander in search of a home, giving back to a homeless shelter in time or money is a small way that we can make a difference. Find a shelter near you and see how you can give back.

So, eat in a sukkah, decorate, get outside, and let Sukkot serve as your motivation to get out and enjoy the fall and friends!

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