Aa
  • Read, Watch, Listen
  • TJI Series
  • Community Action
  • Events
  • Zedi
Follow us and continue the conversation
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • FaceBook
  • X
  • YouTube
Test yourself with the TJI Quiz!

Adjust size of text

Aa

Follow us and continue the conversation

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • FaceBook
  • X
  • YouTube

Your saved articles

You haven't saved any articles

What are you looking for?

Original reporting, insightful analysis and diverse views, delivered straight to your inbox

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • FaceBook
  • X
  • YouTube
Your support fuels our mission to inform, entertain and inspire.

The Jewish Independent is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the Standards may have been breached, you may approach The Jewish Independent or make a complaint to the Australian Press Council in writing at www.presscouncil.org.au. The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712.

  • Our Story
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Support us
  • Guidelines
  • Pitch your idea
  • Republishing us
  • Community Action
  • Our Awards
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • FaceBook
  • X
  • YouTube
Aboriginal FlagTorres Strait Islanders Flag

The Jewish Independent acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and strive to honour their rich history of storytelling in our work and mission.

© The Jewish Independent 2026All Rights Reserved
Website design and development by Your Creative, MelbourneTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
HomeRead, Watch, Listen

Israeli-Arab couple builds a sukkah, hoping to destroy stereotypes

Yen Dang
Print this
08692g709j5duk46

Published: 7 October 2017

Last updated: 4 March 2024

TO ACCOMMODATE THE HUGE number of guests they’re expecting over the holiday, these two Israeli dentists have built a super-sized sukkah. And in keeping with the time-honoured Jewish tradition, they got to work on it as soon as the Yom Kippur fast ended.

Khalil and Reem Bakly, however, aren’t Jewish. They’re Muslim Arabs. This is their first sukkah ever, and there’s good reason to believe it’s the only temporary outdoor hut of this type being built in Israel this year by an Arab family.

This week they are inviting Jews and Arabs from near and far to join them for food, music, laughs and discussion at their beautiful, “100 percent kosher” sukkah, as they like to boast.

FULL STORY This Israeli-Arab couple is building a sukkah, hoping to destroy stereotypes (Haaretz)
AND SEE: In Japan, observing Sukkot requires creativity, and a bit of smuggling (Times of Israel)
You might also like
  • ‘L’chaim for the next 1,500’: Israeli drummer celebrates Cirque Du Soleil milestone
    Gideon Cohen
  • UK far left is complicit in antisemitic stabbings
    Colin Shindler
  • Peace summit refines vision for a better Israel
    Ittay Flescher
logomark.67a07ee3
We believe in the free flow of information

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, by using our Creative Commons licence

You might also like

    Feature

    Israel bows to pressure by restoring water flow, ICC investigates both sides

    TJI Wrap
    tame kostakidis west
    AnalysisAustralia

    How not to apologise

    Zac Klugman
    Jewish-diversity copy
    Feature

    The three questions that will define the Jewish future

    Shahar Burla 1

About the author

Yen Dang

More from the author

Arts & Culture

TV show Shtisel blamed for Brooklyn tours that leave Chasidim feels like ‘freaks’

Occupation Therapy 5

Israeli government engages in a bit of historical selectivity itself

Comments

No comments on this article yet. Be the first to add your thoughts.