Bnei Akiva builds hundreds of sukkot worldwide

Zionist youth movement's emissaries across globe to teach about Jewish holiday in Israeli style with sweet sukkot in New Jersey, kosher café in Oslo

Ynetnews |Published: 09.27.10 , 07:35

Hundreds of World Bnei Akiva emissaries in 30 countries around the world have been very busy in the past few days: Immediately after the Yom Kippur fast ended, they began preparing for the Sukkot holiday.

Almost every single Bnei Akiva branch across the world has built a special sukkah which will host the holiday activities throughout the week. All the activities will have a special and unique Israeli flavor to them.

World Bnei Akiva emissaries in Teaneck New Jersey organized an original activity for the Sukkot holiday: The children who participated not only created sukkah decorations, but also built 'Sweet Sukkot' out of candies and cookies.

Bnei Akiva participants in Detroit (Photo: Klein Communications)

In Oslo, Norway, World Bnei Akiva emissaries have decided to create a kosher café that will operate out of the sukkah at the Jewish community center. The café will host Jewish college students from the area and will serve kosher pastries as well as coffee and other surprises. This will be the only kosher coffee shop or restaurant in Norway to date.

'Mega sukkah' in San Francisco

World Bnei Akiva and Bat Ami emissaries in San Francisco will host hundreds of their students from the Hebrew Academy of San Francisco Jewish day school. The emissaries, all young Israelis, post IDF and national service, will cook all the holiday meals and host their students and families throughout the holiday. Many activities are planned this week, including miniature sukkah building competitions and more.

World Bnei Akiva emissary in Brookline, MA, a suburb of Boston, has organized a unique Sukkot fair at the Maimonides Jewish day school: The older students will visit the traditional 'ushpizin', including the three forefathers, etc.

This year it was decided to add another 'ushpizin' (guest): Kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. The children will learn about Gilad, pray for him and write letters to the Shalit family. The young students will create seven small 'ushpizin' dolls, according to the Jewish tradition.

According to Zeev Schwartz, World Bnei Akiva emissary, "Hundreds of Zionistic and Israeli Sukkot have been built in 30 countries across the Globe. Each and every city will have their own educational activity, while there is one thing in common: All the activities and events will emphasize the importance of the State if Israel.

"I have asked Bnei Akiva's 150 branches around the world to remember Gilat Shalit, who is still captivated in Gaza and to add him as one of the traditional 'ushpizin.'"