CLOSING THE CIRCLE
We put up our sukkah this year but didn’t eat in it.
After living in Englewood NJ for 30 years, we moved to the city and no longer have a space to build a sukkah. But we were blessed to perform the mitzvah of building a sukkah, as we passed along our sukkah, and decorations accumulated over 3 decades, to our son and daughter-in-law in Brooklyn. We spent a beautiful Sunday building the sukkah all together, while our granddaughter excitedly watched as it took shape. She relished seeing the plastic grapes, fruit garlands, and ribbons of flowers that would soon adorn her first sukkah.
In this very challenging time, with Israel at war, rising antisemitism, and the approaching yahrzeit of 1200 beautiful souls on the anniversary of the Simchat Torah massacre, handing over our sukkah to the next generation took on added meaning.
While we know the Jewish people have been down this road before, and that persecution and vilification are nothing new to us, my generation foolishly believed that rampant, wanton, and unprovoked antisemitism was a thing of the past. Sadly, during this past year, we learned that we are not immune to the antisemitic virus that is infecting the world like a pandemic.
Yet in my moments of despair, I remind myself of the strength and resilience of past generations who faced unimaginable challenges. Against all odds they persevered and so must we. Building the sukkah for our children to eat in and knowing they will continue to uphold our beloved traditions, gives me hope and fills my heart with joy.
On Simchat Torah night, I had another unique and humbling experience that gave me enormous hope and optimism. During Hakafot, when we dance in circles around the Torah, I danced with Elie Wiesel’s Torah! I cannot think of a more significant and defining example of the continuity of our people.
Thank you, Elisha Wiesel, for generously sharing your father’s Torah with our shul. You reminded us that the best antidote to the pain of persecution is holding onto our faith with joy and celebration.
As we come full circle from last year’s Simchat Torah and the horrors of October 7th, I fervently say the prayer וּפְרוֹשׂ עָלֵינוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶךָ beseeching G-d to spread over us the shelter of peace and protection, and I emerge with renewed hope and optimism that we will continue to prevail, to follow in our traditions and to live in peace with our neighbors. Am Yisrael Chai.
Tani Foger