Sukkah at the Rim, Lulav on the Trails of the Grand Canyon

As Chabad of Arizona marks 50 years of shlichus across the state, its efforts to reach Jewish travelers are extending this Sukkos to one of Arizona’s most famous destinations: the Grand Canyon.

A sukkah will be available to Jewish visitors at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, located at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center just a short walk from Mather Point. Visitors will also be able to bentch lulav and esrog during Chol Hamoed.

The project is sponsored by Chabad of Arizona, under the leadership of head shliach Rabbi Zalman Levertov, and organized by AZ Kosher Tours.

Three bochurim, Chache Gansburg, Mendel Wilchansky and Mendel Levin, are stationed at the Grand Canyon, welcoming Jewish visitors and assisting them with the mitzvos of Sukkos.

The initiative is spearheaded by Yaakov Mark, founder of AZ Kosher Tours, who saw a need for a sukkah for the many Jewish families who visit the Grand Canyon during Chol Hamoed.

“Why should a Jewish family have to choose between visiting the Grand Canyon and being able to fulfill the mitzvah of sukkah?” Mark said. “This project makes it possible to do both.”

The sukkah has been authorized by the National Park Service and is situated at the designated GCVC-1 site, adjacent to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal near Mather Point.

The initiative comes as Chabad of Arizona celebrates 50 years of bringing Yiddishkeit to Jews throughout the state, with the Grand Canyon sukkah extending that reach to Jewish travelers visiting one of the country’s most popular national parks.

The project carries a cost of $10,000, and Chabad of Arizona is seeking sponsors to help cover the expenses. To partner, visit Chabadaz.com/donate.