Every year, five days after Yom Kippur, comes a lesser-known but important Jewish holiday: Sukkot. Wednesday, Oct. 16, marked the beginning of Sukkot, a weeklong holiday that celebrates the fall harvest and commemorates the Israelites’ freedom from slavery in Egypt and their 40-year journey in the desert.
To celebrate Sukkot, the Jewish Cultural Awareness and Action Committee (JCAAC) brought a sukkah to campus. But you might be wondering, what exactly is a sukkah? A sukkah is a hut temporarily constructed for use during the week of Sukkot. The sukkah was used by farmers in ancient times during the harvest and also symbolizes the non-permanent dwellings that the Jews lived in while in the desert following their exodus from Egypt.
The sukkah is typically topped with branches and decorated with autumnal, harvest, and Judaic themes. If you come by during the week, you can decorate the sukkah.
When interviewed, Ms. Rapaport spoke about the importance of the sukkah. “I think there’s a benefit for all of our students on campus to have exposure and cultural understanding of the different identities, ethnicities, and religions that we have on campus,” she said. So don’t worry if you’re not Jewish—the sukkah is open for all to enjoy. Everyone was invited to come by to work, chat with friends, or increase their knowledge of Jewish culture.
