Kovacs Family Celebrated Sukkot at Dawes Park

The Evanston family invited passersby to perform traditional rituals at the local park.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Judaism

Bold vector editorial illustration of a lulav branch and etrog fruit on a park bench, reflecting a community holiday gathering. — The Kovacs family held a public Sukkot celebration at Evanston's Dawes Park this week, inviting local residents to participate in traditional rituals. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Kovacs family held a Sukkot celebration at Evanston's Dawes Park this week. During the gathering, family members invited Jewish passersby to participate in the traditional lulav and etrog ritual.

Why it matters

The public ritual is practiced as an act of kindness within the Chabad-Lubavitch tradition. By engaging with the community, the family sought to share the holiday observance with others in the area.

The family members participating include Levi Kovacs, 11, Chayamuska Kovacs, 13, and Shterna Sara Kovacs, 9. The lulav consists of a palm branch, while the etrog is a traditional citrus fruit used in the holiday ceremony.

The players

Yehuda Kovacs

He is a member of the Kovacs family who participated in the Sukkot holiday observance.

Chava Kovacs

She is a member of the Kovacs family who took part in the public ritual at Dawes Park.

The details

Levi Kovacs carried the lulav in a protective plastic container as the family invited residents to perform the ritual at the park. The festival involves specific physical actions with the lulav and etrog to commemorate the holiday.

September 30, 2026: The Kovacs family held the celebration at the park.
October 2, 2026: The Sukkot holiday concludes at sundown.

Culture Shift

This public celebration reflects an ongoing trend of religious community outreach often seen in the Chabad-Lubavitch tradition. The event follows a pattern set by the Chabad-Lubavitch Sukkot outreach tradition of encouraging public participation in holiday rituals.

The public ritual provided local residents with an opportunity to engage in traditional holiday practices while visiting Dawes Park. Participants experienced a brief, hands-on religious observance that fits into their daily routines.

The takeaway

Sukkot is celebrated through specific rituals that emphasize community involvement and acts of kindness. Implementing these traditions publicly allows families to connect with neighbors and share religious heritage.