As Sukkot rolls around, we’re reminded of one of the happiest, most meaningful times of the Jewish year. On the surface, it’s a harvest holiday, a time when our ancestors gathered their crops and thanked God for what they had. But when you dig a little deeper, you realize it’s really about something much bigger than food or temporary shelters.

Sukkot is about perspective. It’s about gratitude. But most of all, it’s about community.

The sukkah, that little hut we build for the week, has this really interesting rule: it needs at least three walls, and the fourth has to stay open. That’s always stood out to me. It’s like this built-in reminder that our doors and our hearts should always be open. Anyone can walk in, sit down, and feel welcome. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or what you believe, you’re invited.

When I sit in the sukkah and look up through the leaves, I see the sky. And that’s not just part of the design, it’s a symbol. We’re all under the same sky, all connected, no matter where we are. Whether you’re in Chicago, Israel, or anywhere in between, we’re part of one big, shared community.

That idea reminds me so much of the BBYO and camp communities I’ve been lucky to be part of. Just like a sukkah, they’re built on openness and connection. I’ve seen it firsthand, like when my friend Liav, an exchange student from Israel, stayed with my family during the war last year. My parents didn’t even think twice; they just opened the door. Or when I first joined BBYO and was instantly surrounded by people who made me feel like I belonged. Over time, I’ve tried to do the same, making sure others feel that same warmth when they walk through our doors.

“The door is always open” isn’t just a nice saying, it’s something my parents have lived by. Growing up, our house has always been full of people, friends staying for Shabbat dinners, exchange students, camp counselors, BBYO guests, you name it. My parents have shown me that community starts right at home, with an open door and an open heart.

That’s a value I try to carry into everything I do, whether it’s welcoming new BBYO members, talking with campers, or just connecting with new people. Being “always open” isn’t just about being nice, it’s about being willing to listen, to share, and to learn from whoever walks in.

Now, as I look ahead, just ten months away from college, I know that value is something I’ll take with me. I want to keep that same spirit of openness wherever I go. I want to build spaces where people feel seen and included, and where new ideas and friendships can grow. And at the same time, I’ll carry the people who helped shape me, my family, my friends, my community. I’ve always believed I’m a mix of everyone I’ve ever met, and I can’t wait to keep adding to that mosaic.

Sukkot might have started as a holiday about the harvest, but to me, it’s really a celebration of growth, not the kind that comes from the ground, but the kind that comes from our hearts. It’s a reminder to look up, look around, and be thankful for the people and connections that make life full.

Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you are, as long as one wall’s open and you can see the sky, you’re home.