Our New York City Sukkah: The Challenge (Part 2 of 2)

By Rabbi David Woznica

As described in yesterday’s writing, New York City (indeed, many an urban center) poses a challenge when it comes to the question of where to erect a sukkah.

Here’s what we did.

Taking the freight elevator to the basement of our building (you might imagine the experience of going through the basement of a building erected before the First World War with few—if any—updates), we exited the rear basement door and entered a courtyard. I’ll ask you to suspend whatever positive image you may have of a “courtyard” for the duration of this piece. This concrete courtyard abutted three other concrete courtyards of the adjoining buildings. Peering straight up, one is treated to a sliver of sky.

The courtyards were separated by chain-link fences of approximately 10 feet in height. Apparently more is needed for security, so they are topped with a foot of barbed wire.

Erecting a sukkah in our courtyard was a custom observed in the building for years. When we moved in 1997, I joined the ranks of the sukkah builders.
October weather in NYC can be harsh. I distinctly recall having meals in the sukkah, donning a heavy winter coat.

Have I mentioned buffeting winds? For stability, we had to secure the sukkah to the chain-link fence and, as I recall, the barbed wire. Simple folding tables and folding metal chairs were in contrast to the sweet and colorful decorations adorning the sides and hanging from the roof of the sukkah.

It wasn’t beautiful. And yet, it was so beautiful. People in the building frequently invited friends from the neighborhood for potluck lunch and dinner. The sukkah was so popular a sign-up sheet was taped to the table to reserve specific dates/times. It was over-booked virtually every day. We sang Jewish songs so passionately that we were politely asked to “turn down the volume” lest we disturb neighbors.

I have enjoyed many beautifully constructed and decorated sukkot in the more than two decades since returning to Los Angeles. And I’ve come to appreciate that one can find great joy in this holiday if the setting is a lovely backyard or even a concrete courtyard. Ultimately, the beauty comes from what happens inside the walls of our sukkot.

Rabbi David Woznica
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