Gathering Schach (Roof Covering for the Sukkah), Jerusalem, 20th century

​The picture, taken from Adi Hirschbain’s collection shows a group of ultra-orthodox Jews checking the palm branches. The poster above the palm branches requests that people dress modestly when entering the neighborhood.

Judging by the people in the picture and the notices on the walls, the photograph was probably taken in a Haredi (ultra-orthodox Jewish) neighborhood, most likely in Jerusalem if we consider the stones and the building. The Chassidic Jews that can be seen are wearing typical Chassidic clothes. The reasons that they dress this way are related to modestly and tradition. The long side burns (peot) are due to the prohibition in the Torah of cutting the sideburns. Ultra-orthodox Jews are very sensitive to the way people dress. Above the palm branches is a poster which requests that people entering the neighborhood should dress modestly.

‍

Discussion Questions:

Observation

• What do you see in the photograph?
• Who are the people in the photograph?
• What are they doing?
• Where are they?
  How do you know?

Reading Between the Lines

• What is Schach?
  For what is it used?
  What are the requirements of the Schach?
• What are the requirements of a Sukkah?
  What are the central themes and commandments of Sukkot?
• What is the request of the poster above the palm branches?
  Why do Haredi Jews dress the way they do?
  Why do they demand that people dress modestly in their neighborhoods?
  Do they have a right to ask such a thing?
• Do posters like this still exist today?
  How does the Haredi community communicate today?
  Do they communicate differently to you and your community? If so, how? If so, why?
  What are some of the other characteristics of Haredi Judaism?
• What are the similarities between Haredim and you? What are the differences?

Connections

• ​Have you ever sat in a Sukkah?
  Did you enjoy it?
  What was it like? Describe your thoughts
• Have you ever built a Sukkah?
  Describe the process.
  Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
• Have you ever been to a Haredi neighborhood?
  Where was it?
  How was it similar to your neighborhood?
• How was it different?

Creative Ideas

• Create an illustrated guide to building a Sukkah
• Create a guide for someone intending to visit a Haredi neighborhood: what to wear, what to expect, how to behave.

‍