The Wesleyan Sukkah (WesSukkah), is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month while providing a dwelling for Wesleyan’s Jewish community to celebrate the festival of Sukkot. For eight days, students study, socialize, mediate, eat, host events and occasionally sleep in the religious building.WesSukkah, pictured here on Oct. 7, is a temporary structure located on the lawn of Olin Library.
The sukkah was a collaborative project between the Wesleyan Jewish Community and the students of the Architecture Studio (North Studio) in 2009. Also in 2009, the Sukkah won the Religious Art and Architecture Design Award in the category of Sacred Lanscapes by Faith and Form, an interfaith journal of religious art and architecture, and was featured at the 2010 National Convention of the American Institute of Architects.During Sukkot, the Jewish community celebrates the Israelites 40-year journey to the Holy Land inside the bamboo structure. WesSukkah provides a sacred space that adheres to a complex, medieval Rabbinic building code.All members of the Wesleyan community are invited to visit the WesSukkah. (Photos by Olivia Drake)
Olivia Drake
Andrew Chatfield
Mike Mavredakis