Adjacent to “the crossroads of the world,” the Sukkah at The NY Public Library attracted a non-stop parade of visitors all week.
Decked with abundant cedar, colorful flowers and lush greenery both inside and outside – the structure stood out in sharp relief against the white marble of the Beaux Arts library.
A steady stream of businesspeople from surrounding office towers, local residents, tourists and holiday trippers stopped by.
Some came in to make the blessings on the Lulav and Sukkah. Others stepped in just to revel in the charmingly outfitted al fresco booth.
For over twenty years, Rabbi Yehoshua and Brocha Chana Metzger have organized the construction of the huge Sukkah across the street from Chabad of Midtown at 509 Fifth Avenue. Located exactly midpoint between Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, The Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center –the public sukkah is at the epicenter of Manhattan.
Rabbi Shmuel and Raizy Metzger hosted area children and families at a Sukkah in the newly relocated Chabad Sutton center and preschool. Attendees there enjoyed gourmet meals and innovative educational programs for children. A second public Sukkah in front of the building also welcomed passersby.
Down Fifth Avenue at historic Madison Square Park near 26th Street, Rabbi Levi and Perel Shmotkin of Chabad Young Professionals welcomed visitors all week. Hundreds of young professionals also attended a holiday party at the NY Public Library Sukkah.
University students from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Baruch College attended events at the Chabad FIT Sukkah on the FIT campus off Seventh Avenue. Malka and Rabbi Yaakov Werde and Basya Hans spearhead Chabad Midtown college programs at FIT, Baruch College and area colleges. The Madison Square Sukkah, down the block from Baruch College, is also a popular destination for college students and staff.
Rabbi Asher Webb and members of The Midtown Kollel invited people streaming by the library to make the blessing on the Lulav.
A Sukkah welcoming locals and tourists at Hudson Yards and The Highline was organized by Mendel Metzger, Avi Metzger, Chaim Fogelman, Isaac Mintz and Avraham Metzger.
The library Sukkah and satellite sukkah locations played host to institutions and organizations celebrating their own events. These include school outings, a Chabad.org party for media personnel and Shluchim from all over joining their friends for a holiday bite. A lively group of teenagers from CTeen Queens led by Rabbi and Mrs. Kogan enjoyed dinner in the sukkah after a day of activities around the city. An uplifting Bris celebration was hosted in the library for the son of Russian immigrants.
Zvi Reines, Mendy Weisz and Yudel Rader worked tirelessly to coordinate logistics for the gourmet holiday meals served in the Sukkah.
The Chabad Relief Program headed by Rabbi Noach and Dini Heber distributed food boxes to the destitute during the holiday season. Volunteers gather regularly at Chabad of the Plaza District on 57th Street to pack boxes of essential food staples delivered directly to people in need.
As always, great numbers of visitors from France turned out en- masse to enjoy the Sukkah. Rabbi Chaim and Shaina Dray host popular French programs year-round and the tune of Haaderet V’ehamunah reverberated throughout the Sukkah at holiday meals.
Many Sukkah visitors returned to Chabad of Midtown for Hakafos culminating in spirited dancing outside on Fifth Avenue.
CHABAD MIDTOWN SUKKAH FUN FACTS:
– The Sukkah has architectural plans approved by the New York Department of Buildings.
– The Sukkah is equidistant between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal; Two blocks in either direction.
– The Sukkah is equidistant between the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center; Seven blocks in each direction.
– The Sukkah has been on Bryant Park premises for 20 years. In years past, near the Sixth Avenue fountain, occasionally on the terrace directly behind the NY Public Library, and in recent years, in front of the library – on Fifth Avenue off 42nd Street.
– The late Edmond Safra – a great philanthropist and member of the Bryant Park board – was instrumental in starting the Sukkah in Bryant Park. The Sukkah is dedicated in his memory.
– Cedar s’chach is placed atop the Sukkah, as opposed to bamboo or dry mats, even though it’s more expensive and much harder to install. It’s lush appearance and fragrant smell, enhances the overall experience.
-Only natural greenery and flowers are used to decorate the sukkah – all embedded in the walls and roof – nothing man-made is used.
– Delicious, elegantly catered meals are served in the Sukkah on the holiday and Shabbat. In the interim days, local business people and Chol Hamoed trippers bring their own food to enjoy al fresco.
– Thousands of Israelis are in Manhattan this time of year on their Sukkot vacation from work and school. In an ironic twist, if not for this Sukkah – many of them would not see an actual Sukkah over the entire holiday.
– Many non-Jews stop by to marvel at the Sukkah. The emphasis on nature – and the significance of Sukkot as the original ‘Harvest Festival’ piques the public interest and generates much goodwill.
– The contrast between one of the largest man-made areas of the world – Midtown Manhattan – vs. the greenery-laden Sukkah in its midst is quite the marvel. This floral wonder, smack in the middle of the concrete jungle is a draw for thousands.
