This image, by Jean Bredin on April 3, 2019 in Tent Village, Ocean Grove, captures one of the historic “tents” in its winter garb. The tents are the most photographed subjects in town, but photos of the hibernating structures are unusual.
The “soft” canvas front ends are put away for spring, but this “hard” component remains to be battered by the elements, as witnessed by the peeling paint. Within is the infrastructure of indoor plumbing, electric, rooms, etc.
Just as the trees behind will soon bloom again, so will this tent be revived with a new paint job, front end canvas, and most of all, the presence of those who will inhabit this traditional home to bring to life an important component of Grovarian history.
This yearly coming to life by occupying these “tents” reminds me of the Jewish holiday of Succoth where temporary dwellings are constructed each year.
From Wikipedia: “As stated in Leviticus, it is also intended as a reminiscence of the type of fragile dwellings in which the Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt.”
Throughout the holiday, meals are eaten inside the sukkah and many people sleep there as well.”
THE BARRY SISTERS with a happy song in Yiddish called In “Meina Oigen Bistie Shain” from their album To Life: Songs of Chanukah and other Jewish Celebrations. I’ll take a stab at a translation: ” In my eyes, you are beautiful.” Somebody else want to try?