Chabad Niagara Falls USA Celebrates Sukkos with Scenic Sukkah

Amid the roar of one of the world’s most famous waterfalls, Chabad of Niagara Falls USA turned Niagara Falls State Park into a hub of Jewish joy this Sukkos. Under the direction of Rabbi Yehuda and Yehudis Lorber, a beautiful large sukkah was built right in the heart of the park, in close collaboration with the State Park. The sukkah provided a welcoming space for hundreds of yidden—both locals and tourists—who flocked to the area over sukkos.

From the construction until the dismantling of the sukkah, not a moment was spared. Starting with helping an older Australian Jew put on tefillin on erev Sukkos as he watched the Sukkah being built to shaking the lulav with a young Israeli couple just before shkiah on the last day, the team was in full swing.

Large colorful posters educating the public about sukkos and directing them to the sukkah location were placed across the parks’ 400 acres. The sukkah was welcoming: drawing in Jewish families, students, tourists from around the world, and even curious non-Jews who received Sheva Mitzvos “Good Cards”.

With the Arba Minim on hand, everyone had the opportunity to make the bracha and shake the lulav with a gigantic Calabria esrog, for most, it was shaking for the first time and making a shehechiyanu. The arba minim signify the unity of all different types of Yidden, and indeed this played out inside the sukkah, as many Jews from different backgrounds sat together, eating, sharing stories, davening, and even dancing spontaneously! The Sukkah stood tall against the backdrop of the thundering Falls, but inside was the sight to behold.

Rabbi Lorber shared that the warm response from visitors and the cooperation of the State Park reflect the growing spirit of Jewish life in Niagara Falls, where Chabad continues to bring Jewish experiences to locals and tourists.