Members of UNM’s Jewish organization are celebrating Sukkot, a week-long Jewish holiday, by constructing their temporary structure behind the building and cooking traditional food.
Ezra Rabinsky, a junior linguistics major, said Sukkot is a longstanding traditional holiday in remembrance of the journey their ancestors made through the desert for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt.
“Sukkot allows people to reassess the comforts of their own lives by dwelling in a temporary structure for a week while reaching out to friends and family to join them in celebration,” Rabinsky said. “For this reason, this is a holiday that everyone can benefit from, Jewish or not.”
Some celebrants will eat their daily meals, sleep and do homework within their temporary homes, he said. The holiday is not only about living in the structure, it is also about wishing the best for people around the world, he said.
Sara Koplik, director of Hillel House, said that aside from the structure, Sukkot observers also pay special attention to four spices, as a representation of diversity.
“There are four vital spices in Sukkot,” she said. “They are palm frond, citron, myrtle and willow. We should hold them together and shake it to every direction, starting from North, South, East, West, up and down.”
Koplik said most people in the United States do not celebrate the holiday because they do not have enough time or a place to build the Sukkah. But many go to a synagogue and celebrate there.
Hannah Abraham, an English teacher for the UNM Valencia campus, said it’s difficult to celebrate the holiday in the U.S. because busy work schedules do not give many people enough time to build the temporary structure, but it is one of the holidays filled with special memories for her.
“Sukkot is one of my favorite minor holidays, and when my children were at home we always did the full set of traditions and rituals,” Abraham said. “This year I will help a young family fully participate ... The best way to teach and learn (is) to participate in the holiday. Jewish students should involve in Hillel House and learn more about their history by celebrating the holiday.”
Members of Hillel House tried to get a temporary building permit on the campus, but changed their minds because there was not enough time and people. Instead they built it in the House’s back yard, which is located on campus, she said.
“If we celebrate all the holidays of each religion, we would truly be a community (of) respect and honor (for) everyone,” Abraham said. “Doing so will change the UNM community.”
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Rabinsky said today is the last day of Sukkot, and the temporary structure will be there until the end of the day.
“This Sukkot is really special to me because it’s my first time away from my family, and I got the chance to build it with my friends,” he said. “I love building and camping, so I really enjoy and celebrate the holiday.”
Kanan Mammadli is a freelance writer for the DailyLobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.
