Sukkot, Moritz Daniel Oppenheim, 1867

This picture by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim depicts a Jewish family celebrating the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) in Frankfurt. The family is seated inside the Sukkah (temporary booth) whilst outside, two blonde children with satchels on their backs (possibly non-Jews) are peering in curiously. Also pictured outside of the Sukkah is a maid bringing the family a tureen of food. The Sukkah is made of wood and is also elaborately decorated with lanterns, floral wreaths, and even curtains. Of special note are the Christmas ornaments hanging from the roof of the Sukkah.

Discussion Questions:

• Describe what you see in the picture
  Who are the people and what are they doing?
• Describe the objects in the photograph (for example, their clothing, the decorations).
• Describe the facial expressions in the photograph

Reading Between the Lines

• What time of year does this picture represent?
  How do you know?
• Is this picture representative of German Jewry at the time?
  How so?
• What are the different classes of people represented in the picture?

Connections

• Does your family build a Sukkah?
  Is your Sukkah different to this one?
  In what ways is it the same or different?
• What is the message that the artist wanted to convey in his painting?

Creative Ideas

• Draw or create a Sukkah that is representative of your city or country.
  Relate to outside factors such as buildings, society, general population
• Write a letter to one of the children in this painting.
  Explain to him what he is seeing.

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