LISTEN: Interview about celebrating Sukkot in light of war
Elana Heideman, executive director of the Israel Forever Foundation, recently spoke with Christian journalist Paul Calvert to discuss the significance of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Sukkot, often referred to as the "Festival of Huts," commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent living in temporary dwellings (sukkahs) in the desert during their exodus from Egypt.
Heideman explained that sukkahs (plural in Hebrew is Sukkot) are physical reminders of the impermanence of life and are seen all over Israel, from private balconies to restaurants, to fulfill the commandment to eat and, if possible, sleep under the open sky.
"We take ourselves intentionally out of our permanent homes...into this temporary space," she said, noting that families eat, sleep, and pray inside these fragile structures for seven days in Israel (eight in the diaspora), just as their ancestors did.
This year's Sukkot celebrations have been overshadowed by ongoing regional conflicts, painful memories and images of the horrific events of Oct. 7, 2023.
Heideman spoke about the collective grief of the nation, reminding listeners that many families have left their sukkahs standing since the day of the devastating massacre of 1,200 people in southern Israel.
“None of us could have the strength to take them down,” she shared.
Despite the challenges, Heideman acknowledged that Sukkot still brings a sense of hope and resilience. "Maybe it will awaken...appreciation," she reflected, pointing out that although many are celebrating with heavy hearts, “you will see celebrations and you’ll see joy...but we will be doing so with a broken heart."
While there is still sorrow in the nation of Israel, Sukkot remains an opportunity for the Jewish community around the world to come together in support of one another, share their faith and values, and pray for better days ahead.
Click below to listen to the full interview.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
