Ancient Jewish Tradition Meets Contemporary Design

NPR | WASHINGTON, D.C.

By Emily Siner

"Fractured Bubble" Sukkah by Architects Henry Grosman and Babak Bryan, Long Island City

WASHINGTON, D.C.---At Georgetown University this week, an outdoor religious display looks more like a public art installation than a commandment from the Torah, Judaism’s holy book. It’s called a Sukkah, a temporary dwelling — translated from Hebrew as a “booth” — where Jews traditionally eat and sleep during the weeklong harvest holiday of Sukkot. The holiday, which began last Wednesday night, also pays homage to the 40 years during which the Israelites wandered in the desert, living in temporary structures. Three years ago, Grosman and Bryan won the “people’s choice” award in a design competition called Sukkah City. The reinterpreted versions are clearly captivating Jews around the country. [link]