By Mordi Wolf
Although Sukkah Mobiles have been cruising through Manhattan for many decades, their reach has grown dramatically in the past 17 years. This increase was spearheaded by a group of Bochurim who ramped up the Mobile’s efforts.
These individuals teamed together with the Mivtzah Tank Organization, under the auspices of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, and over time, the Mivtzah Tank Organization has managed to grow the impact of these Sukkah Mobiles.
This year alone, over 25 Sukkah Mobiles were built and sent across New York City and the Tri-State area. Bochurim brought them to their Mivtzoim routes in Manhattan, and Shluchim positioned them on the main streets of their town or included them in their Sukkos events. As such, the joy of Sukkos was brought to the masses; over 3,000 people shook the Lulav and Esrog on a Sukkah Mobile this year!
Rabbi Yosef Orenstein, Director of the Teen Leadership Initiative at Valley Chabad, had his Sukkah Mobile parked on Thursday, the first day of Chol Hamoed, in Downtown Ridgewood, New Jersey. There he met Michael, a sophomore in Ridgewood High School. While both his parents were Jewish, Michael had never had a Bar Mitzvah or entered a shul.
For the first time in his life, he made the blessing on the Lulav and Esrog! Now, Michael looks forward to becoming involved in his local CTeen chapter.
“Every year, we make a Sukkos event for our Hebrew school,” says Rabbi Mendy Shanowitz, Director of New York Hebrew in Chelsea, Manhattan, “And every year, without fail, the Sukkah Mobile is the highlight. Together with their parents and siblings, our students line up to shake the Lulav and Esrog in the Mobile.”
The secret to the success of the Mobile lies in its name. It has the versatile capability to spread the joy and excitement of Sukkos to anyone and everyone who crosses its path. It is not uncommon for an individual or family to stop the Sukkah Mobile as it drives down the streets of Manhattan to take a picture, give the Bochurim a wave, or dance to the joyous music that accompanies it.
The Sukkah Mobile Office fully accommodates the Shluchim that they service. Firstly, they arrange and oversee the entire process. From renting the trucks to building the Sukkos and much more. Secondly, the Shluchim can decide if they want to rent and man the Sukkah on their own, or the Office can arrange a driver and Bochurim to assist them.
The Sukkah Mobile Organization, under the auspices of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, aims to continue growing the reach of the Sukkah Mobiles in the upcoming years so that every Shliach can benefit from them.
