Hastings Jews for Justice community event to highlight plight of Palestinians in Gaza

Hastings Jews for Justice (HJJ) is setting up the ‘sukkah’ each evening throughout the week.

The ‘sukkah’ is a three-sided structure traditionally erected during the harvest festival of Sukkot and Jewish families are expected to take all their meals there.

It is often decorated with symbols of the harvest like lemons, palm fronds and willow branches.

The group said it has adapted the tradition to draw attention to the current suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

The ‘Solidarity Sukkah’ will be erected each night in Wellington Place between 5pm and 7pm from Monday (October 6) until Friday, October 10 inclusive, and members of the public are invited in for food and discussions.

HJJ member Shelley Feldman said: “The original sukkahs were built to remember how God protected exiled Jews during their time in the wilderness after leaving Egypt and the festival was one of gratitude – for the harvest and for shelter.

“But today a sukkah holds particular poignancy as almost all Palestinians in Gaza are living in temporary structures.

“In the West Bank too, incursions and home demolitions have left thousands with nowhere to go.

“We are holding the Solidarity Sukkah to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians.

“It is a tradition to invite strangers and guests to the sukkah so we welcome the opportunity to share our food, thoughts and ideas with the wider community.”

HJJ started in 2024 and hosts regular social gatherings in the community, attend events locally and nationally, and hold public gatherings, often rooted in Jewish traditions and values.

In April this year the group hosted a Freedom for All Passover Seder in Stade Hall attended by more than 70 people including councillors, members of the mosque and prospective parliamentary candidates.

The group is also planning a film screening night in November.

To find out more visit hastingsjewsforjustice.org.