סוכת שלום

Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Sukkat Shalom

Keeping the structure of our School sukkah whole (shalem) was a challenge. As many times as our students and staff reinforced its walls and sides it insisted upon coming down again, as the buffeting winds reminded us that the very nature of a sukkah is but temporary.

On Sukkot, we read the book Kohelet, whose first words are havel havalim, hakol hevel, “Our life is but a brief breath, all existence is but a vanishing moment”. And, yet, in a seemingly most incongruous sentiment, Sukkot is the sole holiday in which we are continually reminded to be ach sameach, ‘utterly joyous’.

It was in this structure, threatening to be blown away, that Emanuel students from Years 9-11 gathered together with homeless individuals from our Sydney community to share a sukkah meal. Amidst laughter, song, storytelling and the sharing of personal stories of challenge, hope and triumph, the winds and cold of the evening gave way to an embracing warmth and fellowship of community.

While the book Kohelet reminds us of the impermanence and vicissitudes of life, at the same time the very meaning of the word kohelet suggests the Jewish response to the difficulties we all encounter – kahal (community).

As darkness descended upon us gathered in the sukkah, I was reminded of the words we say each night in the ma’ariv prayer פרוס עלינו סוכת שלומיך, “Extend over us Your sukkah of wholeness”. That evening we understood that the wholeness of our sukkah is not to be found in the walls providing security from without but in the fellowship creating community from within.

We are commanded to be joyous on Sukkot, not despite, but because of, the fragile and fleeting nature of life. We are reminded to live fully in the present for that is the wholeness of life.

“I have come to understand, there is nothing better in our lives than to be joyous and to practise goodness upon our life’s journey”.

Kohelet 3:12

Please find below reflections of some of our students who shared in the sukkah meal with the homeless of our community.

Tomer Belkin – Year 10

The experience was incredibly eye-opening and  not what I expected. I think it’s safe to say that a lot of us arrived with some stigmas and expectations about the way our guests might look or behave, but all of these stereotypes were thrown out the window the more we got to know them.

We sang, laughed, ate until our stomachs burst and talked about our life stories. It goes to show that no one wants nor deserves to be without a home, and that those we see on the streets are people who have gone through a tremendous struggle.

I think it was an amazing experience and I hope it becomes a yearly tradition.

Eden Sadra – Year 9

Ten Emanuel students were lucky enough to spend an evening in the Sukkah with some very special people. A group of homeless individuals came to share dinner with us and it was really amazing to hear their stories and share ours.

I listened to the story of a lady called Tu. She explained to us her journey from Indonesia to Australia, and what an interesting one it was. As I listened to her speak so openly about how hard her life is I not only realised how lucky I am to have a home but to have access to all the amazing opportunities we get.

As we sat through dinner we laughed and talked about each other’s lives and routines and I was quite surprised to see how interested they were about the Sukkah. We shared the story of Sukkot with them, explaining why we sit in the temporary dwelling for seven days. I also found it quite ironic that we were sharing dinner with them in the Sukkah. Maybe it was a way of reminding us that everything in life is temporary and that nothing should be taken for granted. Sadly but true, it is not just like the lives of the people we sat with that night that were taken away. Thousands of men, women and children in Australia are living on the streets and it’s our job to create awareness to support them. I was truly touched by the experience  and I thank Rabbi Siegel and all the other teachers who made this happen.

Genevieve Goldman – Year 10

I was a bit nervous to meet the visitors as I didn’t know what to expect. We greeted our guests at the gate, and from the moment of meeting them, they were very kind and warm. We sat around a long table in the Sukkah and we listened to many fascinating stories about their lives and experiences. Their stories illustrated their resilience and made me think about everything I take for granted. It’s good to remember that the festival of Sukkot is all about appreciation of the security of a home, and sitting in the Sukkah at school made me realise how incredibly lucky we are to have stability in our lives and how our relationships can grow from that. Sukkot teaches us not to take these things for granted, given that so many other individuals (including our homeless visitors) don’t have the luxuries that we sometimes take for granted. It was humbling that after a life of hardship they all seemed happy and willing to share their experiences with us. Every Jewish festival gives us the opportunity to reflect upon aspects of our everyday lives, not just on history – and I’m glad that I had this opportunity.

Erin Baskin – Year 10

The Sukkah meal with the homeless was an experience that was unique and irreplaceable. The way that we see other people often leads us to form conclusions,

But, through this opportunity, I was able to see past barriers that lead us to making assumptions.

Every story that was told was distinct and different and taught us that things in our lives are not forever because they can come crashing down at any moment – the same wisdom that is shared on Sukkot. The most important thing I learnt from those with whom we talked was to keep close relationships with your friends and family, because it’s a lot easier to make it with the support of those you love and to be thankful for what you have in the present.

The Sukkah may be fragile, but it also shows us that when others fall down we need to make sure we are supportive of regeneration and second chances to pick oneself back up again. The experience was truly unforgettable and showed me the value of what others’ stories can offer to my life and just how far a dignified conversation can go.

Jade Reuveny – Year 10

I have always been interested in the way homeless people go about their day and approach situations which we wouldn’t find issues with. The dinner under the Sukkah last Thursday night was a small insight to a particular section of the homeless community.

A particular lady that my friend and I got the pleasure of meeting explained her situation and the way she has been living in commission housing in a dangerous suburb. She explained that she is scared to sleep at night because her neighbours in the apartment next door bang on her door all night, screaming and yelling, scaring this mid-60 year old lady, living alone. She further explained that she has made several complaints to government services but they refuse to move her or help her situation. Her story continued, and I realised how her whole life is basically to some degree out of her control as she relies on aid from government services.

Listening to the stories of these individuals caused me to reflect upon my life and the everyday things we simply take for granted, as well as sometimes luxuries we believe are our right, such as a car or a phone. To have the dinner under the Sukkah tied all the factors in and acted like a metaphor to trigger thoughts about both the lives of these individuals, along with Jews who lived in sukkot years ago. I hope the School continues this beautiful tradition so that more students can benefit the way I did.