Herzog holds annual presidential Sukkot event with shows, culture, activities targeted for children

A vigorous advertising campaign failed to attract the multitudes who, in bygone years, flocked to the sukkah of the presidents of Israel on a designated day during Sukkot.

The long lines of residents from the North and South, who left their homes at dawn to spend the day in Jerusalem, beginning at the president’s sukkah, were absent. There were differences in this year’s festivities compared to previous ones; the festivities started an hour later, and their exhibition area was much smaller than before. The festivities took place mainly in the front area of the compound, whereas in past years, they were held in the back area. Notably, many areas that were previously open to the public were cordoned off.

This year, the sukkah looked like a bare-bones movie set. In previous years, it was decorated with the best of Israel’s flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Emphazis on culture, sport at Herzog's sukkah

The emphasis was on culture and sport, and the ministry that worked in cooperation with the president’s staff was the Culture and Sport Ministry, not the Agriculture and the Innovation, Science and Technology ministries like before. Admittedly, there was much competition for the public in Jerusalem, with many varied attractions available for the holiday.

Although people still showed up, the early birds who arrived at 9:30 a.m. didn’t get to see much, as organizers were still setting up. Once everything was in place, President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal toured the exhibits, posed for photos, and chatted with exhibitors.

The Herzogs were particularly interested in the wheelchair-bound athletes who were playing basketball, as well as in the display of special wheelchairs designed to suit the individual needs of people unable to walk or stand.

The Herzogs stood in the sukkah at various times, spending up to an hour shaking hands with visitors, posing for selfies, and holding toddlers. In fact, the event was largely geared towards children. Parents were eager to take pictures of their children with the president and his wife, both of whom honored each and every request.

Event held for children to meet President Herzog

The adult visitors were largely outnumbered by the children, for whom there were special sporting and cultural activities. What attracted them most was a drum ensemble inside the building and a storytelling section outside, where they sat on colored bolster cushions and listened to a man onstage read stories to them.

Meanwhile, film buffs were interested in scenes taken from Israeli movies and recreated on small stages. One such film was Zot hi Ha’aretz (“This is the Land”), made in 1935 and dealing with early settlement in Israel.

Scenes from the iconic Eskimo Lemon and Kazablan films were also included, though the man featured in the scene from Kazablan bore no resemblance to the young Yehoram Gaon, who was its star on both stage and screen.

Herzog said that he was excited to welcome the diversity of the Israeli public to the spirit and symbols of Israel’s wonderful culture and sport.

“I want the children of Israel to experience our culture and to be strengthened by it,” he said.

Relating to the upcoming Knesset elections, Herzog said that Sukkot provided an opportunity for all Israelis to come together and talk, and that, afterward, “we will all go together to vote in the democratic elections.”

The festival also featured symbols of Israeli patriotism, with blue and white blimps bearing the menorah and Star of David.