Sukkah in the Heart of the City

Chabad of Midtown’s Sukkah in front of The NY Public Library on Fifth Avenue attracted thousands of visitors this holiday.

Situated on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street – midway between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal – the Sukkah was a magnet for thousands.

The lushly planted sukkah – decked with abundant cedar, colorful flowers and greenery – stood out in sharp relief against the white marble of the Beaux Arts New York Public Library. A steady stream of business people from surrounding office towers, local residents, tourists and holiday trippers stopped by.

Some came in to make the blessings on the Lulav. Some just walked in to revel in the charmingly outfitted al fresco booth. Local residents who lack outdoor space at their city apartments rely on this Sukkah as a haven in which to celebrate the festival.

For over twenty years, Rabbi Yehoshua and Brocha Chana Metzger of Chabad Midtown have organized the construction of this massive Sukkah directly across the street from Chabad of Midtown at 509 Fifth Avenue. Due to it’s large size and prominent location, the Sukkah actually has a NY Dept of Buildings permit.

Israeli cabinet Minister Miri Regev, in town for the UN General Assembly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visited the Library Sukkah. Addressing the press, she spoke movingly about how this public Sukkah represents the triumph of justice over tyranny. Israeli tourists and locals were thrilled to meet her.

Down Fifth Avenue at historic Madison Square Park near 26th Street, Rabbi Levi and Perel Shmotkin of Chabad Midtown’s Young Professionals welcomed visitors to their Sukkah all week.

Hundreds of these young professionals attended a holiday party at the library Sukkah.

Rabbi Shmuel and Raizy Metzger of Chabad Beekman-Sutton hosted area children and their families at a Sukkah smartly situated at the entrance of the popular Chabad Beekman Center and preschool. Guests enjoyed a musical drum program and innovative programs for children.

University students from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Baruch College attended events at the Madison Square Sukkah and Chabad FIT Sukkah. Malka and Rabbi Yaakov Werde spearhead Chabad Midtown college programs at FIT, Baruch College and additional area colleges. The Madison Square Sukkah, down the block from Baruch College, was also a popular destination for college students and staff.

Rabbi Asher and Doba Webb along with members of The Midtown Kollel and their wives, invited people streaming by in Bryant Park to make the blessing on the Lulav.

French visitors and local French expats flocking to the Sukkah were welcomed by Rabbi Chaim and Shaina Dray, directors of the Chabad French Center at Chabad Midtown. Attendees at Chabad of the Diamond District also enjoyed weekday lunches in the Library Sukkah, a short hop from 47th Street.

The library Sukkah and satellite sukkah locations played host to numerous Chabad institutions and Jewish organizations celebrating their own Sukkot events. These include a Chabad of Princeton University luncheon, a Chabad.org party for the media, elementary and preschool outings and much more.

Zvi Reines, Mendy Weisz and Yudel Rader worked tirelessly to coordinate logistics for the thousands who enjoyed the delicious catered 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.

Many Sukkah visitors returned to Chabad of Midtown for spirited Hakafos culminating in 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 this year on the terrace in front of the library – on Fifth Avenue off 42nd Street.

– The late Edmond Safra, a member of the Bryant Park board was instrumental in facilitating the Sukkah in the 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.