At the time of year when we recall our own history of homelessness and exile, we turn our thoughts to those around the world who are finding themselves in flight or need of shelter.
The Jewish Festival of Sukkot commemorates the forty biblical years during which the Children of Israel wandered in the desert between being freed from slavery in Egypt and arriving in the land of Israel. ‘Sukkot’ is Hebrew for ‘temporary structures’ – referring to the shelters the wandering people put up during their travels. To celebrate the festival and recall our vulnerability to nature and the elements, Jewish people put up and spend time in ‘Sukkot’. It is considered a ‘mitzvah’ (good deed) to sit, eat and drink in a Sukkah and each year JW3 puts up a Sukkah in the Piazza.
This year we are delighted to be partnering with the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) and the Jewish Museum London to host the 'Little Squares of Hope: Shelter from Storm' project. At the time of year when we recall our own history of homelessness and exile, we turn our thoughts to those around the world who are finding themselves in flight or need of shelter.
Additional Info■
About the Project
This project creatively explores the contemporary significance of shelter, through art which has been created by different refugee and faith communities across the UK. Individual experiences and interpretations of shelter have been drawn, sewn or otherwise designed onto fabric squares, and these fabric squares, quilted together, will adorn the walls of the JW3 Sukkah. The quilt is accompanied by seven information plaques exploring different faith perspectives to shelter, each provided by a contributing organisation. 'Little Squares of Hope' will be exhibited online by The Jewish Museum.
Visiting the Succah
Visitors are invited to come and view the exhibition and connect the ancient experience of wandering and refuge with the experiences and perspectives of people still, sadly, in need of safety and shelter today. All are welcome – you don’t have to be Jewish.
If you wish to visit the Sukkah, please book a time slot, and please note that you can only book for yourself and your own household bubble (maximum of 6). If you would like to fulfil the mitzvah of eating in the Sukkah, we ask that you bring your own meal. Please ensure that it is strictly vegetarian and prepared in line with Kosher requirements.
Please be aware, as it is impossible to sanitise a Lulav, we will not have any on site for public use.
Contributing Organisations
Caritas: https://www.caritas.org/who-we-are/
Church Refugee Network: https://ctbi.org.uk/category/witnessing-together/asylum-and-refugees/cr…
RSN: Refugee Support Network: https://www.refugeesupportnetwork.org/
SFAR: Scottish Faith for Refugees: http://www.sfar.org.uk/
Rene Cassin: https://www.renecassin.org/
JCORE (Jewish Council for Racial Equality): www.jcore.org.uk
CCJ (Council of Christians and Jews): http://www.ccj.org.uk/
