Campus Ministry
UD Interfaith Alliance: Reasons to Celebrate
By Julie Benedetto
“What is that shelter doing there?” is a question you might ask yourself when you walk near Humanities Plaza on October 17. This shelter will be there to celebrate Sukkot on campus! Sukkoth is a Jewish Holiday that literally means “The Feast of Booths” or shelters. Following the somber holiday of Yom Kippur, Sukkoth is a joyful Jewish celebration with both historical and agricultural significance. It commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, it is a harvest festival as well. Come out on the 17th to support your fellow Jewish students on campus, get some free food, and also learn more about this Jewish holiday!
You might be asking yourself now, “What is the purpose of celebrating holidays that aren't mine? In the Christian and Catholic tradition, we have so many holidays to celebrate already. Why is it important that I attend things like this?” Besides the free food of course, these events are important because you identify with a religion, value system, or faith background; they help us to understand how others practice and celebrate. Engaging and celebrating with others helps us to better understand how we can relate to or support others, how to have dialogue, and how to grow in our faith identities, too. Keep an eye out for other religious celebrations outside your own tradition throughout the ’16-’17 school year and come join us!