So, What ARE You Doing on Chol Ha Moed?

My home happens to be right under the flight path into Ben Gurion Airport.

And right now, it feels as though every 30 seconds another plane is flying overhead.

Annoying?

Maybe to some people.

But to me, right now, it’s music to my ears.

Because every time I hear another plane coming in to land, I think about who might be on it.

Families arriving in Israel for Sukkot. Grandparents waiting to see their children and grandchildren. First-time visitors. Regulars who wouldn’t dream of spending the Chag anywhere else.

And, of course, quite a few families whose names I know very well because I’ve spent the past few weeks helping to plan what they’re going to do once they get here.

Which brings me to one of the great questions of Sukkot in Israel:

So… what ARE you doing on Chol HaMoed?

Because there’s a particular optimism that seems to strike visitors before Sukkot.

We don’t need to plan every day. We’ll decide when we get there.

Absolutely.

There’s just one small problem.

So will several million Israelis.

Welcome to Chol HaMoed in Israel.

There is definitely no shortage of things to do -

One of the wonderful things about Sukkot here is that the entire country seems to go into holiday mode.

Forests turn into festivals.

National parks put on special activities.

Children can pick olives, make pita, try ancient crafts, sift through archaeological soil, watch performances, explore museums and discover what life might have looked like here thousands of years ago.

There are hikes and jeeps and ATVs. Beaches and water activities. Archaeological sites and heritage sites. Science museums and botanical gardens. Activities for toddlers, teenagers, grandparents and occasionally even something that all three generations will agree to do together.

And then, of course, there’s Jerusalem.

Sukkot in Jerusalem is something quite special.

Sukkot appear on balconies, in courtyards, outside restaurants and seemingly in every available corner. The Old City is buzzing. There’s Birkat Kohanim at the Kotel, special activities at museums and attractions, and thousands upon thousands of people doing exactly what you are doing:

Trying to have a lovely family day out.

Which is where things can get interesting.

“It’s Only 20 Minutes Away…”

If you’ve ever planned a Chol HaMoed outing based on Google Maps, you may already know where I’m going with this.

Yes, it might normally take 20 minutes.

On Chol HaMoed?

Maybe pack lunch.

Israel is a small country, and one of the great things about travelling here is how much you can theoretically fit into a day.

The key word there is theoretically.

Chol HaMoed traffic can change everything. Popular attractions can sell out. Parking can become an activity in its own right. Restaurants are busy. And that wonderful place your cousin told you that you absolutely MUST visit?

Apparently everyone else’s cousin told them too.

This doesn’t mean you need a military operation just to leave the house.

It just means that a little planning goes a very long way.

So, my one piece of Chol HaMoed advice to you is:

Don't try to do everything.

You can't.

Choose a few things your family will genuinely enjoy. Check if it's available. Think about geography. Allow for traffic. Leave some breathing room.

And if something doesn't go exactly according to plan?

You're in Israel.

Have another coffee.

So yes, another plane will probably fly over my house before I even finish writing this.

And another one shortly after that.

On those planes are people who have been waiting months - perhaps even years - to spend Sukkot here.

Some of them are coming to see children and grandchildren.

Some are coming to show their children Israel for the first time.

Some have itineraries carefully planned down to the last detail.

And some are going to land at Ben Gurion, unpack their suitcases, sit down in their sukkah and say:

“Right. So… what are we doing tomorrow?”

Whatever you decide, enjoy it.

Chag Sameach from Israel.