DePauw's Jewish community continued its holiday celebration this week with Sukkot, the harvest festival.
Sukkot lasts one week and begins five days after Yom Kippur. Unlike Yom Kippur, one of Judaism's most somber holidays, Sukkot is one of the most joyous. In addition to celebrating the harvest, Sukkot commemorates the end of the 40 years of wandering through the desert that plagued the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. During the holiday, Jews built sukkahs, temporary dwellings modeled after the ones the Israelites lived in during their time in the desert.
"It has to be temporary," first-year A.J. Wolfe said. "You can't use the same [structure] two years in a row. It has to be different."
On Wednesday evening, members of Hillel, DePauw's Jewish student organization, built their own sukkah on the lawn between East College and the Hub. Previously, Hillel built their sukkah on the steps of the Spiritual Life Center. This year, they wanted to be out in the community.
"We wanted to increase...religious literacy on campus," junior Melanie Studnicka said. "I think not a lot of people know what Judaism is about so hopefully having [the sukkah] out in the middle of campus will help."
Hillel's sukkah resembles a small room with three walls and a roof. About 15 people came out to help cover the roof with willow branches, hang a tarp around the walls for rain protection, and hang gourds from the two-by-fours. A fall wreath hangs above the entrance. But even with the decorations, DePauw's sukkah is simple compared to others.
"Some people have electricity in [their sukkah]," senior Mark Weiss said. "I don't think we're going to get that here."
As Hillel constructed their sukkah, several passersby stopped to have a look, and President Brian Casey came out to lend a hand.
"I think schools like DePauw should celebrate multiplicities of life," Casey said. "Having something like this is a chance for our Jewish students to show off their faith and educate people. It's great."
Traditionally, Jewish families live in their sukkahs during the seven days of Sukkot. Hillel plans to follow this tradition by hosting events around their sukkah. Their first event, "Appetizers in the Hut," happens tonight from 6 to 7 p.m.. Bagels and cream cheese will be served next to the hut on Tuesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m.. On Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. Hillel will host "Dessert in the Hut."
The students will also be sleeping in the sukkah starting Saturday night. Thry had to postpone their stay a bit due to rain. Everyone is encouraged to stop by and say "Chag sameach," meaning joyous festival.