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Sukkot is a seven-day festival with historical and agricultural significance. Historically, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest festival, sometimes referred to as the ‘Feast of Ingathering.’ To celebrate, a sukkah – a booth of palm and willow branches – is built, and meals are eaten within it. No work is permitted on the first two days of Sukkot.

The two days following the festival, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, are also days when work is not permitted. Though these days are separate holidays, they are related and commonly thought of as part of Sukkot. Shemini Atzeret marks the completion of the annual reading of the Torah, and Simchat Torah celebrates the resumption of the annual cycle of readings. The holidays are celebrated with singing, dancing, and processions of people carrying Torahs and waving flags.

Sukkot is observed on the 15th of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar and lasts seven days. The two following days transition into Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, & Simchat Torah Messaging

Many Jews around the world celebrate Sukkot and recognize the iconic booths used throughout the holiday. Most Jews will not think of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah as distinct holidays, so separate messaging for these holidays is not usually required. Recognition by your institution of the holiday overall will communicate appreciation of your Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Any and all public greetings are encouraged – in video or graphical format; on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter / X; and as stories and feed posts.

Greetings are most appreciated in the 24 hours leading up to the start of the holiday. Because of celebrations and observances that prohibit the use of electronics during the first two days of the holiday, many celebrating Sukkot will not see any messages once the holiday is underway. As Sukkot begins in the evening, sharing greetings early that day is ideal.

Appropriate language and imagery for Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, & Simchat Torah greetings and messaging include:

• Sukkah
• Palm branch (closed), myrtle, willow, and citron
• Torah scrolls

Sample greetings

Wishing our students, faculty, and staff a joyous Sukkot holiday

Suggested social media captions:

• Chag Sukkot sameach! Wishing you a warm and healthy Sukkot
• Chag Sameach to the Jewish community celebrating Sukkot.