University of La Verne Celebrates Jewish Festival of Sukkot

La Verne students, faculty and staff constructed a sukkah Sept. 30 in Sneaky Park for the week-long Jewish Festival of Sukkot.

The event, sponsored by La Verne’s Hillel club and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, commemorates the period when the Israelites wandered the desert and lived in temporary shelters. It has been a tradition at La Verne since 2011, after being suggested by President Devorah Lieberman.

After La Verne’s structure was blessed, participants enjoyed Israeli food and dancing. The celebration continued in the evening with a movie viewing and pizza.

Jake Huberman, Visiting Assistant Professor of Communications, said more than 400 people came to the sukkah for lunch, 20 attended the blessing and 30 gathered at the structure at night and stayed until 3 a.m.

“It was a day of inclusivity, diversity, and friendship for all,” Huberman said.

The sukkah remained in Sneaky Park until Oct. 5.