London Sukkah Greets Hundreds

Chabad Lubavitch of the UK’s annual ‘Sukkah in the Square’ opened again this Sukkos holiday, welcoming crowds of workers, tourists and passers by. Over 600 people stopped to eat, to shake the lulav, to daven or to just see what all the fuss was about.

For the second year running Chabad Lubavitch of the UK constructed a large public Sukkah in the middle of London. Located in between Fleet Street and Chancery Lane, the Sukkah was positioned in the centre of New Street Square – a bustling pedestrianised area in the heart of the City. Measuring over 50m² the impressive structure fast became a talking point all over town.

The project was a partnership between Chabad Lubavitch and a number of leading city firms including Deloitte, Bolt Partners, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Mishcon De Reya, Speechly Bircham, Taylor Wessing and other supporters. All the project partners as well as many other volunteers collaborated together giving their time and support to make sure it could happen.

Large numbers gathered each day at the Sukkah including over 300 people on the first day for a buffet lunch sponsored by Deloitte. In the evening Chabad Lubavitch hosted a kosher wine tasting event with guests sampling fine French wines guided by a distinguished sommelier. Other events included a Sushi lunch sponsored by Sushi Haven, lunchtime speakers, prayer services and corporate events.

Chabad Lubavitch staff were on site answering questions and explaining about Sukkot to the many people passing by.

Rabbi Bentzi Sudak of Chabad Lubavitch UK said, “Once again it is great to see so many firms supporting the Sukkah enabling Jewish people to come together and celebrate Sukkot. We hope this will be a catalyst for Judaism to become even more accessible not only in the City but throughout Central London’.