Sukkah In Park Raises Church-State Question

The New York Times reported yesterday that the issue of religious displays on public property is arising now in connection with plans by a Jewish group to erect a sukkah-- a temporary hut-- in a small park in TriBeCa.  Chabad of TriBeCa has asked for a permit to put up the temporary Sukkot holiday structure which is a symbol of the fragile shelters the ancient Israelites used while wandering in the desert. Community Board 1 is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether or not to allow the sukkah.  Some object on church-state grounds.  Chabad says that Jews in the area want the sukkah so they have a convenient place to carry out the custom of sitting and eating in the sukkah during the Sukkot holiday period.