Dining out Jewish style

Dining out took on new meaning for Docklands’ Jews last month.  It meant eating their meals in a temporary, tent-like structure known as a sukkah.

Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson from the Chabad Jewish Community Centre erected the structure outide the Hub in Harbour Esplanade for the duration of the Jewish festival of Sukkot.

He explained the phenomena: “It’s much like a bizarre muddle of primordial style living and environmental hard-core. We spend eight days eating meals and sometimes sleeping in an outdoor shack or tent.”

“Despite the odds, and the slightly more attractive option of eating in the comforts of one’s home, the Sukkot customs have remained strong and thriving in contemporary Jewish living.”

Rabbi Nathanson said the sukkah attracted a lot of attention from Docklanders not previously exposed to the experience.

“Most people who walked by had never seen a sukkah before and were intrigued to come inside and have a peek,” he said.

“This is the second year that we have had a public sukkah up in Docklands. Last year it was located at Urban Reforestation’s community garden.”

“We hope to continue to provide this service each year. Our goal is to reach out to all people and promote the eternal message of Sukkot, one of unity and love.”

The structure itself has to have a roof made from a natural unprocessed material that has grown in the ground.

Rabbi Nathanson has weekly TV show on Docklands TV.  It can be viewed at http://www.docklandstv.com.au

For more information see http://www.cjcc.com.au