Thousands of people flocked to Jerusalem on Wednesday to participate in the annual Open Sukkah event at the President’s Residence — some 6,000 visitors managed to gain entry to the sukkah.
This year the event was held in partnership with the Blue & White Initiative of the Economy Ministry, and the Israel Manufacturers Association. It included interactive exhibitions of Israeli inventions and manufacturing, as well as traditional fruits and produce of Israel as is customary at Sukkot as a harvest festival.
Throughout the day, the President and First Lady went out to greet the many thousands of visitors, shaking hands and speaking with them about where they had come from across the country.
The President also spoke from the main stage at the Residence — which is quite large — and where musical performances were taking place throughout the day. He wished the visitors a “Happy Sukkot” and broadened the greeting to include “all the people of Israel around the world, and all the Israeli people here.”
Rivlin added that the president’s sukkah is the Sukkah of the whole people, and that he views the president’s residence as the “house of all the people” as well.
“This house ties together all the tribes of Israel. You have come here today as every year, and you can see the wonderful produce of Israel on display; the wonderful fruits and vegetables of our land,” he said.
“But the produce we eat is not the only produce of this land here today; you have seen the tremendous ability of the manufacturing industry in the State of Israel – an industry that is renowned around the world. All the world wants to buy ‘blue and white.’
“You have come here today, we are all one tribe under the Sukkah – which is a symbol of peace. The connection to Jerusalem needs no endorsement. Everyone knows this is a most important festival in our connection to Jerusalem our capital.”