The garden that grows with us
- Jakob Lindenthal
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
A Sukkah for the next decade and beyond
Many community members will still remember last year's Sukkot, when it was celebrated for the first time in what was then a largely barren community garden. That was a huge breakthrough and a sign: This isn't just a quick pavilion being erected in the parking lot. We're here to stay! The sukkah itself was a temporary structure, put together by volunteers over the course of days and decorated with autumn leaves. The festival was a wonderful success, but we were also lucky with the weather, and it took weeks afterward to dismantle the sukkah. For the upcoming Sukkot festivals, we in the garden team and the cultural committee would like to procure a marquee tent that can serve the community for at least ten years and can be set up and taken down in the long term with fewer resources and fewer people. The wood for the temporary sukkah alone cost several hundred euros, and the tarpaulins reused from a broken old pavilion were anything but weatherproof. Suitable marquees can be purchased for as little as around 1,500 euros. That's why we want to use the upcoming garden party on July 19th to collect donations for a sturdy, durable sukkah that will provide shelter in any weather. Starting this fall, Sukkot should be an occasion for less organizational stress and more festiveness. The tent can also be used for other occasions, such as weddings or other rainy holidays. Anyone who can donate money for this project is investing in the future of our community. We warmly encourage you to do so.
A garden with many faces
Less than a year has passed since the first draft sketch for the design of the vacant lot next to the community center. Anyone who has curiously looked around the corner before Shabbat or on any other occasion will have noticed the progress: the disused loading dock area has been transformed into a garden. This was only possible with the help of many helping hands who performed work, donated building materials and tools, and, with their professional experience, helped to create a place to linger and feel comfortable with limited resources. We are grateful for this energy, and it shows that our community is not just a place for major holidays, but an opportunity for shared progress and new encounters and friendships. Special thanks also go to the Weidlich family from Heidenau, who donated two large peach trees and a beautiful garden bench; to Christian Ludwig and Ursula Staudinger for their financial support of the rainwater harvesting system; to Achim Elicker for transporting fresh compost and providing a wide range of materials; and to numerous members of the community and residents of the caravan site for their diverse donations of plants, building materials, and tools. On Lag BaOmer, the garden was officially used for a festival for the first time. With each step of the work over the next few weeks, the garden will gradually shed its construction-like character. On Saturday, July 19, the garden will be officially presented to all community members and the interested public with a small celebration. This milestone will also herald the next expansion phase: the acquisition of a marquee tent for Sukkot, for which we are asking for donations. The garden will thus become an extension of the synagogue and community center and can be used in a variety of ways for festivals, workshops, but also for harvesting delicious vegetables or simply reading a book on a bench.
In the coming weeks until July, we are also asking for your active support in completing the gardens. There are a variety of jobs that can be completed with any level of physical ability and professional experience.
We will be working in the garden on the following days:
June 16, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
June 18, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
June 23, 6:00-8:00 PM
July 8, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
July 15, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Please register at jakob@besht.de so that we can better coordinate the work and inform you about any short-term changes to the schedule.
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