what is sukkot?

sukkot is judaism’s annual “festival of booths.” traditionally, families and congregations build “sukkahs,” rustic tabernacles within specific parameters of halakha (ancient jewish law) where they eat, sleep, and gather for autumn’s harvest. we think of it as a celebration of agricultural abundance, neighborly love, and public space!

16 cubits is something like a remix of burning man, sukkah city, and boisbuchet

any questions? email us at hello@16cubits.org

who we are

ethan blake is a writer, musician, chef, and a rabbinic student at hebrew union college. he has studied urbanism and design at brown university, boisbuchet, and ut austin’s school of architecture. he leads a band called idyll worship, teaches eco-kashrut cuisine by schvitzin' in the kitchen, and writes semiotic torah commentary at an optimist in delek palace. ethan hopes that 16 cubits will cultivate a new forum for individuals and communities who are as intentional about their spirituality as their materiality. 

misha semënov-leiva is an architect, writer, and educator who is passionate about using design to connect people with the natural world. he is the sustainability coordinator at centerbrook architects and planners and a lecturer at yale university and university of hartford, teaching courses on architectural ornament and its cosmological role. recent projects include the mill river discovery center in stamford ct and urban canopy parklet in new haven ct, a public space built from reclaimed urban trees that transformed two parking spots into an urban oasis.

our steering committee includes the marvelous:

architect marc kushner

entrepreneur joshua foer

rabbi adina allen

prof + designer ian gonsher