It so happens that in 2025, October 7th falls on the first day of Sukkot, a festive joyous holiday and not a time for sadness. That’s why the formal commemorations of October 7th this year are postponed in Israel until after Sukkot/Simchat Torah, and we’re doing the same here at UAlbany. But it’s only been two years, and there’s still hostages and a war, and all the impacts locally and around the world, so it is on everyone’s mind.
We thought to ask students in the Sukkah, for the second dinner in the Sukkah, to each share a favorite memory, highlight, personal experience from visiting Israel or about Israel, something memorable pr meaningful – and here’s some of what our students shared:
(Our apologies if we couldn’t remember exactly from during the holiday what everyone shared. It’s an online post so we can always update/correct/add. Please let us know).
Oren H. – This summer I studied at Mayanot in Jerusalem. For Tisha B’Av I went to the Kotel. It was remarkable for me to see many people quite emotional there, as if the destruction of the Temple occurred recently, not 2,000 years ago. Seeing people feeling the vividness and proximity of our (ancient!) history was very inspiring.
Aden V. – I was in Jerusalem and there was a big bold colorful sign or mural of a verse, a biblical verse of a prophecy written thousands of years ago: “Once again children will play in the streets of Jerusalem…” and just down the block was a children’s school and the street was bustling with happy children. T’was amazing to see that prophecy come alive thousands of years later!
Veronica V. – Our birthright trip took us to the Nova site, where a huge memorial is set up, remembering each individual, all the people brutally killed there at the music festival on October 7th. Personally, I am not the emotional type, I don’t usually tear up. But I found myself sobbing. And then my friend, too, and she’s less emotional than I am! Soon we were all in a group hug, a communal embrace. I won’t forget that feeling.
Ari K. – I was in Israel when the war with Iran broke out. So it was a scary time at first. We were placed in Israel’s north and spent a lot of the time in bomb shelters. But an interesting thing happened. Song and dancing burst forth in those bomb shelters. There was tremendous spirit and uplifting energy. You saw and experienced a lot of light despite the darkness!
Matt B. – I was leaving class when I chanced on the SJP protest for their martyrs on Oct 7th (!?). I stayed for a bit to see what was going on, and realized the incredible polarization and contrast. And I happy to be here in the Sukkah with the community that chooses light and life. (I did ask two of the participants why the date of October 7th was chosen – and they said they didn’t know (!!) and then an organizer came over and told them not to answer any questions…)
Ethan E. – I haven’t been to Israel yet, but since October 7th I’ve done a deep dive into its history and reading up on it. One thing most people don’t realize is how Israel is one of the largest ongoing archeological sites in the world – currently ongoing. There are so many rich and deep layers to its history. I recently read about a series of finds of ancient bibles and codices going back many hundreds of years, and to think that we still study and engage with Chumash today, it’s quite amazing – a Living History!
Omri K. – Fond memories of Israel for me… going to the beach, and the chilling out there. And the soccer games! The energy, the sense of community and togetherness.
Henry M. –
Aly A. – I haven’t been to Israel yet myself but I’ve been involved in a lot of Israel advocacy, especially since October 7th. I was selected as a delegation of a few students from my High School to attend the Shiva for Omer Neutra – and that was an especially meaningful experience.
Sophie S. – A lot of people speak about Jerusalem, and of course, its very special. But one of my favorite spots in Israel was Eilat at the southern tip. The nature on land and in the sea is so beautiful, and its just a very chill and fun place.
Addison F. – When October 7th first happened I was at a friends house. And the first few days I felt compelled to watch all the videos and news coming out, because if they experienced it, the least I can do is watch it. But then I spoke to a friend who was a paratrooper and served in the IDF, and he said all that video watching doesn’t help and doesn’t do any good. And if I wanted to help I should do activities at my school and I should say extra Tehillim. And he helped me see differently, what our role could be from afar, in a much healthier way.
Emma E. – Our family toured Israel in the winter before October 7th. We took ten days or so and did so many things in so many different parts of the country. Yet, I feel there’s so much more to do, and to go back for.
Thaddeus C. – I met an Israeli online playing Minecraft and we stayed in touch. The interesting thing for me is that even after October 7th and even with the war going on, life goes on. Israelis are very resilient. And they are normal people like us, playing Minecraft.
Jacob M. – I was very little when I was in Israel last but one of the most memorable things was a hike I went on with my family and my Israeli cousins. They were trying to entice me to keep going, so they told me that up near the top there’s a hole that goes all the way to China! And looking forward, a few of us UAlbany friends are looking forward to going to Israel together in December!
Meredith R. – When I was little, my mother would often tell me that one day I’d go to Israel and one of the first stop should be the Kotel/the Western Wall. I heard that when I was little. This past summer I went to Israel and studied in the Mayanot Womens Yeshiva program. But one of the very first things I did, one of the first places I went, was just as my mother said: The Kotel. I stood close up to the Wall. I prayed with my whole heart. And I thought of what my mother kept telling me. And here I am. Thirty years after my mother visited the Kotel, here I was having the same meaningful experience.
Simone S. – I’ve been to Israel many times, almost every academic break! I’ve volunteered there a lot. Sometimes I was on such a trip alone – not part of a group or with friends that I knew. Which is how it was this past summer, when the Iran War broke out. It ended surprisingly quickly, but that’s not what we expected when it started. It was scary, I was alone. But a surprising thing happened. I met neighbors and strangers in the bomb shelters who were so gracious, friendly and welcoming. They gave me their numbers, they reached out to see if I needed anything. Connections rose up out of that chaos.
Sam J. – I find the road between Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem especially interesting. It’s not that long of a drive but the change in scenery and change in culture in pretty dramatic. The views and the moods of the two cities are very different. It shows how drastically diverse Israel is. There are so many parts and aspects to it.
Sally E. – I spent a gap year in Israel so I do have many memories. But I’d like to talk about what it means to me to be a Jew right now. We’ve been persecuted and life has been made difficult for Jews for many centuries. What got us through it was hope and joy in our Judaism. Tonight is Sukkot. Soon is Simchat Torah. Despite everything going on around us, and outside of us, this is a time to be joyous, to connect, to celebrate our Jewishness.