Roger Bennett

Sukkah City 2010 brought over 100,000 New Yorkers to Union Square for a two-day exhibition of radically reimagined sukkahs. Organized by Joshua Foer, Roger Bennett, and Reboot, the competition attracted almost 650 entries from over three dozen countries, making it one of the largest architecture competitions of recent years. Sukkah City has inspired a movement of experimental Sukkah projects around the globe, from San Diego to Sydney, from St. Louis to Toronto. Now, for the first time, Reboot and Sukkah City project creators have a set of materials that can help future creatives and communities who want to create their own version of Sukkah City. We hope you will find these to be both informative and inspirational, and also know that each version of this project has its own special context and take on this ancient yet still engaging form of architecture and ritual. Learn more here.

In 2010, Reboot launched an architectural design competition and work of installation-art titled Sukkah City. More than 600 entries were received, and a panel of architects and art critics selected a dozen winners. The 12 pieces were constructed in Union Square Park in New York City for a three-day celebration. Sukkah City has inspired a movement of experimental Sukkah projects around the globe, from San Diego to Sydney, from St. Louis to Toronto. Now, for the first time, Reboot and Sukkah City project creators have a set of materials that can help future creatives and communities who want to create their own version of Sukkah City. 

Roger Bennett of Men in Blazers fame, Reboot’s co-founder and former Hanukkah cynic shares how soccer – the most beautiful game – provided a new appreciation for what he long considered an overblown holiday. As he sees (English) football as a light in the darkness of the pandemic, he sees Hanukkah as the light in the darkness of winter. And when he lights his candles this year, he will do it with gratitude and awe, love for his family and of course David Beckham.

Marking the celebration of Simchat Torah, we are jumping into a new Torah cycle with our Unscrolled book. It’s a reinterpretation, a reimagining, a creative celebration with 54 leading Jewish writers, artists, photographers, and screenwriters, plus actors, an architect, a musician, and grappling with the first five books of the Bible, giving new meaning to the 54 Torah portions. Find out more here and look for our Instagram posts of the weekly portion.