Book-a-Sukkah Program Attracts Diverse Groups

On the Holiday of Sukkot, Jews are commanded to sit outside in a temporary dwelling place or hut, known as a Sukkah. Hillel builds two on-campus Sukkot, and - in order to make them accessible to students - allows student clubs to reserve the space for group meetings, meals, and events. The program is called Book-a-Sukkah.

Matt Goldberg, chair of the Book-a-Sukkah program, said that diverse groups at Emory ranging from sororities to an interfaith club reserved the Sukkah.

"One of the customs of Sukkot is welcoming guests into the Sukkah," Matt said. This custom, known as ushpizin, goes back to Abraham and Sarah, who welcomed strangers into their tent. “I emailed all the club presidents at Emory, both Jewish and non Jewish,” said Goldberg, “and invited them to use one of Hillel’s two Sukkahs for their next club meeting.”

Kenny Leibowitz, who helped to build the Sukkah near White Hall, attended the "Shakes in the Sukkah" event hosted by Children of Abraham. Children of Abraham is an interfaith group that brings Muslim and Jewish students together to learn about each other's customs. "I had a wonderful time talking to other students, many of whom I had not met before, and learning some new facts even about our own customs in Judaism," Leibowitz said.

During the week of Sukkot, six student clubs hosted events in the Hillel sukkahs, bringing more than 170 students through to observe one of the Torah’s easiest commandments — to sit in the Sukkah.