Some students may be questioning why Beach Hillel set up a Sukkah in front of the campus bookstore in celebration of the Sukkot festival this week.
Sukkot is the traditional time of harvest in the Jewish faith. Jeffrey Blutinger, a Jewish studies professor, said it is about “going out into the world.” It is also the conclusion of the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert after leaving the slavery they experienced in Egypt, according to Arlene Lazarowitz, co-director of the Jewish studies program.
Building a sukkah, or a temporary structure to live in while crops are being harvested, is a commandment of the festival.
“Our ancestors would live in the fields for a week; they would eat, sleep and in general live in the sukkah,” said Eden Banarie, an employee and volunteer at Cal State Long Beach, and a Long Beach City College student. “We do this to re-enact the time of harvest and bounty.”
Loosely translated to “festival of booths,” sukkahs are traditionally constructed out of canvas with a natural roof called s’chach, which consists of palm leaves or pine branches.
Traditionally, the roof should cover enough of the structure to provide ample shade but be open enough to allow for rain to come through or for the stars to be viewed at night. Blutinger said people sometimes live in their sukkah for the week.
“It’s a chance to educate and give Jewish students a place to hang out,” Banarie said.
“I love it; it’s nice to have a place to hang out in,” said Ashley Austin, a senior biology major. “Usually we eat in here, we talk and play games in here.”
Light trickles in through the roof, casting streaks of light onto the walls, where prayers and messages are written in Hebrew. Those who enter will see the prayers of grace said before and after dinner.
“It’s really nice to see a sukkah on campus. It’s a great holiday,” said Jordan Aharoni, a visiting Hillel supporter. “It’s a holiday of unity, eating together, working together and being together.”
Messages of welcome and peace are also present on the printed walls, which will soon be decorated.
“People always decorate the sukkah,” Banarie said. “We make paper chains and drawings of the harvest. That’s the best part.”
The sukkah was built in front of the campus bookstore Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Beach Hillel will host its 26th annual Sukkah Hop tonight at the Alpert Jewish Community Center at 3801 E. Willow St. Hop-goers will spend the evening visiting local Jewish households in celebration of the end of Sukkot before returning for the evening at the AJCC. The bus leaves the AJCC at 6:30 p.m. to begin the celebration.
If you wish to attend but cannot meet at the community center, rides will be provided at the University Student Union turnaround at 6 p.m.