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7 Ushpizin on 7 continents: This year, our sukkah should be more open and inclusive

The Jewish people around the world are facing the "Three Thousands": anti-Semitism, non-identification and indifference to each other - which is the most hidden and dangerous threat of all. Especially this year, we must open the door to our Jewish brethren to our sukkah

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• Sukkot, Tabernacles

• Judaism

Nachman Shai

Monday, 20 September 2021, 14:06 Updated: 14:31

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As Minister of the Diaspora and thanks to the wonders of technology, I get to meet diverse people and groups every day, from all over the world, from all streams of Judaism, and from all sides of the political map. One of the most fascinating meetings in recent days has been with the Chief Rabbi of Britain (and of the British Commonwealth), Rabbi Ephraim Marvis.

During our meeting, Rabbi Marvis shared with me the "The Three A's", which the Jewish people around the world face: anti-Semitism, the external threat that encounters all Jewish communities around the world; non-identification, internal threat, unconsciousness of many Jews In the world in their Judaism and growing assimilation, and the last - apathy and indifference.The indifference of the Jewish people, including Israelis, to all their Jewish brothers and sisters in the world, is the most hidden and dangerous threat of all.

I agreed with him.

The three thousand do indeed represent the three phenomena that the Ministry of Diaspora is facing. These are the three challenges that concern me and my people, in a comprehensive and in-depth look at the Jewish world today. Do not worry, there will be more challenges - the Jewish world is fascinating - It's the biggest challenge. Sukkot is a great opportunity to talk about it and open our sukkah door to different guests, ideas and innovations.

More on Walla!

Leaving the Sukkah: All activities and events for the 2021 holiday

To the full article

"The indifference of the Jewish people is the greatest challenge."

Minister of the Diaspora, Nachman Shai (Photo: Reuven Castro)

To me, especially this year, the seven Ushpizin of Sukkot symbolize the seven continents of the world. Dozens, if not hundreds, of Jewish communities on every continent. Communities that love, pray and hope every day for the State of Israel and the people of Israel, but all too often feel that this connection is not mutual, not two-way. This year, I hope that we can, each and every one of us, open to them a little opening into our sukkah, which is wide enough to accommodate them all. To take an interest and ask for the well-being of the near and far, religious and secular, Reform, Orthodox and Conservative, the entire Jewish diversity. Indifference is our great failure, so many are not connected, especially in communities around the world, where they choose to be Jewish and also choose to be non-Jewish. In the land of things, things are simpler, we are Jews by virtue of the reality to which we were born or came and with which we live.

Sukkot is the ideal time and place to connect, and we also identify with whom: with the young high school student who just arrived at Taglit, with the student in an exchange semester, with a graduate of the Masa project or with the family of new immigrants who moved to the building opposite.

They do not necessarily speak fluent Hebrew or dress like you and me, but you may find that you have a lot in common.

"In Sukkot you shall sit for seven days," this is the commandment of the feast, though the commandment is not always convenient;

In the rain, in the cold, under the scorching sun, with the mosquitoes, we have been sitting around the table and under the thatch for thousands of years, singing, eating and rejoicing in the mitzvah.

In many ways the seven days in the sukkah symbolize the story of the Jewish people, despite the difficulties and tragedies over the years, we choose to see the big picture, the light and the strengths, and continue our existence in every generation.

"Sukkot is the ideal time and place to connect" (Photo: Reuven Castro)

At this time and especially this year, we need to focus on the good, the optimistic and the unifying. We are part of a long-standing tradition and history of an ancient people, which is larger and more vast and as we will see in our day to day life. This connection affects the lives of all of us, even if we do not see it at any given moment. This is the opportunity for each and every one of us to choose and influence.

The holiday season is in full swing, but will pass soon, and after the end of Sukkot we will return to daily activities, and we will continue to do so to prevent the three thousand to become the fixed reality of Jewish communities and the Jewish people, in Israel and around the world. Awareness of the security of the Jewish communities and their continued existence Our decisions, in the government and in Israel as a whole, also shape the reality of life in the Diaspora, and we should be aware of this.

In this vein, I invite you to come to my sukkah, the virtual sukkah, which is open all year round, to ask questions, take an interest, take part in strengthening the bridge between us and the communities around the world while building trust, mutual connection and hope.

Dr. Nachman Shai is the Minister of the Diaspora.

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