New Sukkah Stood at NY City Hall

Thousands of Jews from all backgrounds visited the Sukkos of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in the City of New York.

At the sukkos, respected lawyers could be seen catching a few moments for lunch before hurrying back to their prestigious offices. Nearby, for example, a prominent contractor sat next to a real estate broker, completing their conversation as they grabbed a bite in the sukkah.

Alongside were Chassidim who had to be in the city during the holiday to take care of affairs that would otherwise lead to a loss, and tourists visiting New York who sought a sukkah where they could eat their meal.

“This is in the spirit of the Rebbe of bringing the Sukkos to the people,” said Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director of Lubavitch Youth Organization (“Tzach”).

The new addition this year was the City Hall Sukkah, located at the center of City Hall Park in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan, between Broadway, Park Row, and Chambers Street. Given the location, it was constantly visited by Jews of all areas and of all backgrounds.

Many families taking their young children on Chol Hamo’ed trips brought them to visit the sukkah. “Now I don’t need to worry about where to give my children food,” said one happy mother. “Chabad has already taken care of it for us.”

Pairs of Chabad yeshiva students covered many city neighborhoods, working with typical Chassidic enthusiasm to bring the mitzvah of lulav and esrog to many thousands of Jews.

“This is an integral part of the Rebbe’s activities expressing his concern for every Jew, wherever he is,” noted Rabbi Yossi Butman, who organized the Sukkos activities for the Lubavitch Youth Organization, together with a team of Chabad yeshiva students who worked energetically to ensure the activities’ success.