One of the rituals during the Jewish Thanksgiving (Sukkot), which happens from Oct. 17 to 25, involves the building of a temporary shelter. The sukkah is a hut-like structure designed to replicate the type of fragile dwellings that Jews lived in during 40 years of travel through the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. During this holiday, some families will eat meals, study the Torah and even sleep in the sukkah. It’s a ritual that is practiced by Jews in Israel and around the world.
“Orthodox Jews would tend to have one, but even some secular Jews will make one,” says Jerry Adler, director for Canada, Israel Ministry of Tourism, who plans to erect a sukkah this month on the patio of his Toronto home.
This re-imagined sukkah designed by Dan Bergeron uses condo sandwich boards and was inspired by the need for affordable living spaces in densely populated cities like Toronto.
“It’s fun to eat inside, it’s different, not like sitting in the dining room. You can hear the birds, see the sunlight – and the roof of these structures is typically made of tree branches so at night you can see the stars in between the cracks. It’s very back to nature, almost romantic.”
The sukkah is typically made with natural materials that are strong enough to withstand strong winds. They have two complete walls and one partial wall, and a roof made of leaves and branches. They may be built in a backyard, on a balcony, porch or terrace and are often decorated inside with autumn or Judaic themes. Sukkot (Feast of Booths or Tabernacles) is an agricultural festival that was originally considered a thanksgiving for the fruit harvest.
Some sukkahs are very basic, using nothing more than wooden frame and tarp, while others are quite elaborate. Last year as part of an international design competition, various artists were asked to re-imagine the sukkah. About a dozen unique creations, including eight of the finalists, were put on display at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square.
The “Roots” sukkah.
One called “roots” was made entirely of rope; the “spiral sukkah” was constructed with wood, cloth and twine, in five fractured sections around a common centre; and the “guiding light” sukkah featured protruding wood of various lengths to characterize the enslavement of the Jews. Another sukkah, which had previously been on display in Toronto, used colourful hand-painted silk fabric for its walls.
Designer Dan Bergeron constructed a sukkah using condominium sandwich boards and called it “///re-ply\ Phase 2.” It was inspired, in part, by the need for affordable living spaces in densely populated cities like Toronto.
If you happen to be in Israel around this time of year, you may encounter a sukkah and experience it first-hand as many hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions provide a kosher sukkah in which customers may dine.
“Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday)
Diane Slawych is a contributing writer for REM.
