September 23-30, 2018
Since biblical times, the sukkah—a temporary structure giving thanks for the fall harvest and commemorating the exodus from Egypt—has served as the centerpiece of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Sukkot. As part of Detroit Month of Design, five sukkahs, selected through Detroit’s largest international design competition in recent history (78 applications from 14 countries), were displayed in Detroit's historic Capitol Park, accompanied by complementary programs and events.
Detroit, home to 1300 urban farms, is also the only UNESCO City of Design in the United States. Sukkah x Detroit celebrated both. Capitol Park was transformed into an open-air marketplace featuring produce, food products, crafts, and Jewish educational events interspersed amongst the sukkahs, showcasing Detroit’s design, urban agriculture, and Jewish communities on a national and international stage.
Winning Designs
Jury: Abir Ali, The Platform; Melinda Anderson, Design Core Detroit; Jeff Kidorf, Albert Kahn Associates; Patty Boyle, Detroit AIA & SmithGroup JJR; Tiff Massey, Detroit Artist and Kresge Fellow; Noah Resnick, UD Mercy School Of Architecture and Laavu; Anya Sirota, University of Michigan Taubman College and Akoaki.
The 5 winning designs were reviewed by Rabbis Ariana Silverman and Yisrael Pinson to assure they meet biblical requirements; the construction documents were reviewed and certified by Jon Koller, PE, to assure they meet code.
Schedule of Events
Events were open to all
Sunday September 23-30: Sukkahs open to the public during park hours, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. – Capitol Park
Monday, September 17, 6-8 p.m. – Meet the Designers panel discussion – Isaac Agree
Downtown Synagogue
September 17-October 2. Exhibition of designs on display – Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
Sunday, September 23
10:30 a.m.-Noon – Family Friendly DIY Sukkah Decoration Making – Capitol Park
Noon-2:30 p.m. – Woodbridge sukkah hop
3 p.m. – Kickoff celebration with Rabbis Silverman, Pinson and Horwitz; family crafts; music; and CulturePop: Poetry Workshop – Capitol Park
Monday, September 24
All day – Lulav and Etrog – Capitol Park
CulturePop: Dance – Capitol Park
Wednesday, September 26
CulturePop: Drum Circle – Capitol Park
7 p.m. – Turn The Tables dinner – Capitol Park
Thursday, September 27
Lunch – Black /Jewish Relations – Capitol Park
CulturePop: Printmaking – Capitol Park
Friday, September 28
7 p.m. – Shabbat services – Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
Shabbat dinner following services – Capitol Park
Saturday, September 29
10:30 a.m. – Tot Shabbat
6-8:30 p.m. – North End Sukkah School Havdallah – Oakland Avenue Urban Farm
9 p.m. – Sukkah in the D Party – Capitol Park
Sunday, September 30
3-7 p.m. – Dance party with Mike Medow, Sterling Toles, and Daniel Kahn and the Painted Bird –
Capitol Park. Daniel Kahn at 5 pm with DJs before and after.
Exhibition Presenting Organization
Program Partners
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Jennifer and Dan Gilbert
Supporter
Barbara and Gerald Cook