By Caryn Schaufeld
The Lulav Group of the Great Neck Chapter of Hadassah celebrated the Jewish holiday of Sukkot with a gathering of more than 30 women on Oct. 18.
Sukkot marks the end of the fall harvest and is celebrated by blessing and waving the lulav (a combination of date palm, willow and myrtle branches held together by a woven palm branch) and the etrog (a citron or lemon-like fruit), symbols of the harvest. For the weeklong holiday, a sukkah (a temporary hut covered in natural materials) is built and meals are eaten under its thatched roof.
Lulav member Diane Polland opened up her home and beautifully decorated sukkah for this magical evening. The program was led by Nassau County Legislator Ellen W. Birnbaum and another member, Ellen Convissar, performed the traditional ritual for the lulav and etrog. President Harriet Werner spoke of how she joined the Lulav Group at this very event and eventually went on to become president.
The evening progressed with each attendee discussing her ties to the Hadassah organization and ended with a buffet of beautiful desserts and fruit.
To join Hadassah or to learn about other events, contact gnhadassah@gmail.com.
