Canary Wharf is the centre of celebrations for the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) this week.

Canary Wharf Group plc (CWG) has constructed a tabernacle (succah) in Montgomery Square, which is hosting a variety of luncheons for workers based at Canary Wharf and the local community.

Clifford Chance, HSBC and employees of BGC Partners, Citi and Morgan Stanley have sponsored events at the Tabernacle. On Wednesday 7 October CWG hosted a buffet lunch for guests from Stepney Day Centre, Dennis Centre, Brenner Centre, Nightingale House, Schonfeld Square, The Sam Beckman Day Care Centre and members of the East London Synagogues Association. This was followed by a lunch for a large number of employees working on the Wharf.

Danny Seliger, Associate Director Administration at CWG, said, “It’s a pleasure to provide a focal point for the local Jewish community to come together. Many hundreds of the Canary Wharf workers and a variety of East London organisations are able to enjoy use of the Tabernacle every year.

“This is just one of the many community events CWG supports throughout the year. It’s important that we work together with our local communities; it’s what being a good neighbour is all about,” he said.

The festival, which commenced on Friday evening 2nd October, is also referred to as the Season of our Rejoicing, Sukkot or the Festival of Ingathering as it is also a harvest festival. It lasts for seven days and commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel wandered in the desert, living in temporary shelters and depending on the protection of God.

The tabernacle was originally designed by Kohn Pederson Fox Associates, the architectural firm responsible for designing 10 Upper Bank Street at Canary Wharf.