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By Itzhak Rabihiya

President Rivlin today decorated his Sukkah and invited Israelis to come and visit during the Open Sukkah event in intermediate days of Sukkot, this year on the theme of ‘Finding Treasures in the President’s Sukkah’

President Reuven Rivlin decorated today, Thursday 10 October, his Sukkah with children of members of the Beit HaNasi staff and second- and third-grade pupils from Yavneh school in Hadera, which runs program to strengthen literacy and language skills designed by the Israel Center for Educational Innovation. The event was held ahead of the Open Sukkah during the intermediate days of Sukkot, which will happen in the gardens of Beit HaNasi as it does every year, during which thousands of Israelis will visit the Sukkah on 17 October from 10:00 – 16:00.

“Come and visit the Sukkah of peace and togetherness, where everyone belongs and which belongs to everyone,” said the president, inviting Israelis to visit the Sukkah. “Beit HaNasi is the people’s home, and the president’s Sukkah is the Sukkah of all Israelis. We welcome everyone and are looking forward to seeing you!”

The theme of this year’s Open Sukkah at Beit HaNasi is ‘Finding Treasures in the President’s Sukkah’, in cooperation with the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage. During their visit, people will be able to enjoy a range of activities for all the family and will receive a personal souvenir. During the day, the president will come out and greet visitors at different points. The event is open to all and is free of charge.

Among the activities during the day are a meeting with Theodor Herzl on the famous balcony in Basel, including a photo opportunity. Visitors can also uncover archeological remains and sieve earth that has been dug out of archeological sites around Jerusalem. The public is invited to bring with them pictures and letters from personal or family collections that will be scanned and added to the holdings of the National Archives in order to enrich the holdings from different era of the history of the Land of Israel. Another activity allows visitors to experience a virtual reality film where they can visit the Western Wall, the Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Stalls for engraving on antique coins will also be available. The president’s Sukkah will be decorated in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and this year’s theme is grapes, both for eating and for wine, and will include the history of wine production.

Attached photo credit: Koby Gideon (GPO)