Minyan

The Sukkot tradition of “welcoming the stranger” is more poignant than ever in light of the social transformations of the past year. Compelled to form isolated bubbles and confronted by the inequities that divide our communities, we are inspired by the spirit of bonding with strangers around a communal meal.

Minyan distills the traditional structure of the sukkah into its essential components: chairs, a table, and a roof. Ten tall chairs, symbolizing the Judaic minyan, define the sukkah’s interior while supporting a verdant canopy from which a dining table delicately hangs. An oculus provides a view to the sky above. Designed to be built by ordinary means, methods and materials, the structure can be easily disassembled and reused by the community for future seasons. Each year, the act of collectively raising Minyan makes manifest the spirit of communion and fellowship vital to the tradition of Sukkot.

Credit: Jacob Esocoff, AIA, Henry Ng, AIA, Philip Esocoff, FAIA
Special thanks: Christopher Iftime, Yefim Gurevich

Copyright Esocoff & Ng Architects, 2021

Location: Edlavitch DC JCC
1529 16th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20036