The sukkah was planned and built for families to easily access the sukkah without leaving the safety of their cars. Overall, we had a total of 24 people volunteer to build and guide participants through the sukkah. Rabbi Zimbalist, along with the executive director, created a training video to help participants utilize the sukkah. Etrogim/lemons, myrtle and willow branches were provided for families to use in the sukkah, and visuals of the barachot were posted inside the sukkah. Families were then given juice boxes and snacks to enjoy after leaving the sukkah. Families that typically do not partake in regular or everyday activities, came to the sukkah to fulfill this mitzvah. One non-member family drove by the sukkah, pulled over, and asked if they could utilize our sukkah; we absolutely said yes. The Hebrew school sponsored its own afternoon for the families to utilize the sukkah and then later hosted a Friday Shabbat service.

Volunteer responsibilities are demonstrated in Rabbi Morris Zimbalist's training video: https://youtu.be/qIpyr3_Kqic

General Construction:

The Drive Through Sukkah was designed to be built of easily handled and assembled materials yet be capable of accommodating large passenger vehicles and resist inclement weather and high winds. The ease of assembly was important to minimize the number of Men’s Club members needed to fabricate, erect and disassemble the sukkah due to social distancing concerns.

Materials of Construction:

The frame of the sukkah was PVC piping with the base being buckets filled with concrete to provide support. The walls were a woven plastic cloth that allowed limited air to flow through but still serve as a barrier. The s’chach was made from pre-made bamboo mats.

Talmud Study:

When the idea of a Drive Through Sukkah was brought up, the requirements for the sukkah was discussed during a Talmud study of Tractate Sukkah. The subjects of the size of the sukkah, the number and size of the walls, materials of construction for the wall and of the s’chach, is it valid to say the blessing of dwelling in the sukkah if in a car, and the minimum requirements for a lulav, were all discussed.

Covid-19 Issues:

The synagogue’s COVID-19 Task Force was contacted to advise on the requirements for letting congregational families participate. Also reviewed were the requirements for the Men’s Club during the fabrication and takedown phases regarding social distancing, wearing of masks, gloves, etc. Further, the rules for volunteers to assist those driving through the sukkah were identified.