Very interesting. (Actually, all your anecdotes are interesting.)

It reminds me of Dennis Prager's belief that the religion for secular Jews is Leftism.

By the way, thank you for your posts a while back on the 10 silent movies a film lover should see.

Jonathan

Now all the people in my group at work know about Succos. It's their favorite holiday - even the ones who aren't jewish.

Robert,

So true....most American and secular Jews have sold their sold to the left.

Have a wonderful and meaningful Succot!!

Although I worked with Jews at my publishing company for many years, I was the only one who took "all those minor Jewish holidays" off. At one time, even a boss of mine was Jewish; the others didn't understand why Pearl, but not Tami, took off all those Jewish holidays.

Have a wonderful Yom Tov.

Wonderful Succot for you and your family. Cheers

Walner(from Brazil)

Chag Sameach Chaver to you and yours..we had to weight down our Sukkah because of the winds!

All Best,
Robert@Joshuapundit

Jonathan:

Dennis is quite right. It's an old story: once "enlightened" Jews turn away from Torah, they end up worshiping at the altar of radical leftist politics. And sooner or later they are always devoured.

Glad you like my silent film posts. There will be more.

Mata Hari:

Yes! When we invite Jews or non-Jews to our Succah, they always enjoy themselves hugely.

Lance:

Chag Sameach to you too.

Pearl:

Thanks so much for the workplace insight. Have a fine Yom Tov.

Walner:

Have a Chag Sameach. My best friend from college lives in Sao Paolo.

Robert:

Tell me about it.

Last night the Santa Ana's were just blasting. When I stepped outside this morning all the s'chach was blown off my Succah. Climbed the stupid ladder, laid out the s'chach again, now my fingers are pulsing with stupid splinters.

Laid a bunch of two by fours over the s'chach.

Here's hoping.

Chag Sameach to you and yours. Keep up your fine work. I read your blog faithfully.

I wish you a very memorable Succot and know that I admire you greatly for your Religious convictions and traditions. All the best.

I think we are in a relatively new stage of history, but one that is described in the Passover Haggadah's story of the four sons. It may be tempting to describe secular Jews today as the "wicked son," but frankly we're way beyond that. Today most Jews are the "son who doesn't even know how to ask a question." I daresay most most Jews in Hollywood are quite ignorant of their tradition and if they have become devoted to Buddhism or liberalism, it probably had nothing to do with rejecting anything because they never knew anything to reject.

I'm not sure how to fix that. Jewish education is kind of a minefield these days. Honestly, I don't know how the old after school Hebrew school model can sustain itself in this day and age and day schools are just not an option for most people at those tuition prices.

But it is true that the leaders of many non-religious Jewish groups are completely rejecting religious life for a different kind of political devotion.

At the Board of Education in New York City, many otherwise secular Jews know all about Sukkot and other "minor" [their term not mine] holidays, because they have the right to take the day off at half-pay (or something like that).

I had a colleague who would come see me at the beginning of the school year to go over exactly when each holiday was so she could schedule extra visits to her elderly parents in Florida.

...And my husband always had this problem when he worked for Bear Stearns in New York; his bosses would always ask how come all the other Jews could come to work.

Here in Israel, he doesn't have this problem. ;)

It's such a great holiday! Too bad people don't know enough about it.

The weather has been really nice for eating in the Sukkah.

I thought you might like this

http://breathofthebeast.blogspot.com/2008/10/picking-up-hats-waiting-for-chico.html

I laughed even though it's not funny, but what else can I do?
Here in Israel Succot is a big holiday.
I remember my confusion in OJC (Conservative) Hebrew School. I'm not ffb. We would be brought into this structure with hanging fruit, but I had no idea what it was about and never saw/celebrated the holiday.

Once, maybe twice, I went to shul Simchat Torah, at night, and got candied apples on a flag. At least that's the mishmash I remember.

You catch more flies with honey:

It's such a great holiday! Too bad people don't know enough about it.

than with vinegar:

Well, most secular American Jews believe feverishly in Obama, or the Democratic party, or Global Warming. In the past they believed in Socialism, Communism—most any 'ism' but Judaism. It's just how it goes.

My Gentile boss USED to question the holidays that never seemed to show up on his calendar, but after working for him so many years, whenever I ask for a day off he usually says, "Oh, another Jewish holiday?" And BTW - there are 5 Jews in my department out of around 70 people...none other than myself celebrate Sukkot. I'm with you...this makes me very sad, especially since I really love this holiday!

Moadim L'Simcha.