Bringing magic to the sukkah

Hushed conversations begin in July. Sitting on beach chairs at the Jersey Shore amid tattooed Independence Day revelers, my sister, Ali, and her family huddle in for one of the biggest religious decisions they will make all year — what should the theme of the family’s sukkah be?

Upholding this 20-plus-year family tradition, they secretly conspire to pick a decorative theme that never fails to astound and delight all who get the privilege to enter the tiny backyard world they lovingly create every fall.

Like Clark Kent and Superman, Ali has a dual identity. Her work as a dentist for children on Medicaid disguises her alter ego as the creative force behind an inventive, ever-developing family tradition. Each year, a different person in the family has the privilege of selecting the motif, although a group effort refines the ideas. Themes have included popular trends like mermaids or mustaches, eras like a Roaring Twenties speakeasy or 1950s diner, eternal favorites like movies, sports, or superheroes, kitschy concepts like a tiki bar, the Old West, or a love shack, and the occasional Jewish theme, such as the IDF or this year’s King Solomon’s Palace Gardens.

We’ve shaken lulav in an art gallery, by the sea, in a stadium, and in outer space. Each year we are thrilled with another high-concept product of their collective imaginations.

Once a theme is selected, the family moves to flesh out the vision. The walls inside and outside are covered with “scene setters,” on-theme wall coverings that create an all-encompassing environment. Whether the backdrop is palm trees and ocean waves for a tropical theme, a fake wall of liquor for the speakeasy, stadium crowds for a sports theme, or faux brick to mimic a Soho art gallery, this establishes the foundation of the decor. The decorators layer relevant images on top of that to enhance the setting, while themed lights or figurines are hung from above.

Next come huge blow-up photos of everyone in the extended family, either in appropriate costumes or Photoshopped into themed outfits and poses. All through August and September, my sister is watching for coupons on bulk photo enlargements and heading off to Lakeshore Teacher Supply Store to use the big laminator. Meanwhile, she and my niece spend evenings artfully cropping and creating images of family engaged in the relevant activities.

My girls and I looked fabulous as flappers the year of the speakeasy, and fierce as IDF soldiers when they chose a tribute to Israel. My dad looked great as Mr. Miyagi with my nephew, who made a convincing karate kid for the year they chose a movies theme. One year, all the cousins were photographed making silly faces, then stacked into a totem pole. Another year we all found our faces pasted into the action poses of our favorite pro-athletes. Turns out I look great in shoulder pads and a helmet, and my husband made a charming merman.

Every year there is a theme-related poster to remind of the ushpizin, the biblical figures we invite to join our feast each night of Sukkot. Little did Avraham Avinu know he’d be represented someday by popcorn, a soccer ball, or the Incredible Hulk. Often there are educational posters or trivia contests, with plenty of candy as prizes. The level of detail is incredible. It takes months to put together, and sometimes hours to fully inspect all the clever details, hidden messages, and visual inside jokes.

It would be impossible to overstate how awesome this tradition has become. The entire extended family looks forward to the Big Reveal on the first night, eager to find their faces and observe the reactions to each detail. As we sit enjoying the first festival meal, we marvel anew at the originality and magnificent execution of the family tradition.

Although not every family could replicate this level of raw creativity and technical skill, not to mention devote the time to the project, we all can learn from their example to create their own magic. Investing in special family traditions, cultivating teamwork and dedication to a joint project, and infusing ritual with distinctive, personal elements can add meaning and memories to all our holidays. Starting preparation early, and getting the kids involved in key decisions, can yield greater engagement through fresh interpretations of our ancient traditions. We all should approach the holidays with such excitement and joy.

Chag sameach!