The Sukkah as Metaphor: A Brooklyn Shul Addresses the Refugee Crisis
This autumn, with politics on everyone’s mind, Brooklyn’s Congregation Beth Elohim (CBE) decided to do something a little different for Sukkot. Explained Rachel Timoner, the synagogue’s rabbi, “Given the current national conversation, I was thinking about the fact that a sukkah has a dual message. It represents safety and protection, but also vulnerability. It’s a temporary shelter—a place for gathering with friends and community and sharing food—but also evidence that all of us are vulnerable to the forces of the world and dependent on God’s mercy.”
Timoner saw a direct parallel between the symbolism of the holiday and the world refugee crisis. “A sukkah is literally a refuge,” she pointed out. “It’s traditional to welcome ushpizin, honored guests. This year it felt particularly important for Jewish communities to say ‘We understand this experience; our grandparents and great-grandparents lived this experience.’ We should be out front saying to current refugees, ‘We want to make room for you.’ These families are our community’s ushpizin, and we hope they’ll soon find a real, sturdy home.”
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