Sukkot on campus arriving with joy, concern and preparation
'We cannot lose focus on the joy and celebration of Sukkot, of being in community and celebrating our Judaism'
The holiday of Sukkot is generally associated with joy, but given recent attacks on Jewish students in Oakland, the holiday is arriving with some concern.
Between Oct. 16-23, Jews will dine, congregate and occasionally sleep in outdoor booths. These temporary structures are typically erected in yards or driveways with confidence that the open-air experience can be enjoyed meaningfully and peacefully. In Oakland, those charged with student safety also realize that the upcoming holiday comes at a challenging moment.
During the past month, Jewish University of Pittsburgh students have been attacked twice. One of those attacks is being investigated by the FBI as a possible hate crime.
Dan Marcus, executive director and CEO of Hillel JUC, said that regardless of the holiday or season, the “safety and security of students is always paramount.”
For weeks, Hillel JUC has prepared for Sukkot by following past protocol.
“We are doing what we always do and working in partnership with university police, who are always so supportive and caring of our Jewish student community,” Marcus said.
Along with assistance from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University police departments, Hillel JUC is relying on Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s director of community security, Shawn Brokos, for expertise and guidance.
“This year, planning for the Jewish holidays is certainly different than in years past,” Brokos said. “We are coordinating with all of our organizations, working with local police and the mayor’s office. We know that the campus environment has been challenging for students and we want to make sure Jewish students feel as safe and secure as possible.”
In addition to instructing celebrants twice to “rejoice” on Sukkot, the Torah implores followers to have nothing but joy on the holiday.
Brokos said she’s aware of mixed feelings entering the festival. Jewish students and campus leaders are looking forward to Sukkot, she said, but some are also worried that sukkahs are “so open to the community.”
By design, sukkahs are temporary edifices lacking the comforts and stability of permanent structures. Even so, Brokos wants students to “feel safe and to participate in Jewish life.”
Sara Weinstein, co-Director of Chabad House on Campus also wants students to experience a meaningful and secure holiday and said several events in Oakland will amplify the festival’s joyous nature.
Along with Hillel JUC, Chabad at Pitt is hosting a holiday dinner on the first night of Sukkot to “promote unity on campus,” she said.
Apart from the evening affair, which is transpiring in a “giant sukkah” located on the Cathedral of Learning Lawn, Weinstein said, there will be meals “every day throughout the holiday in our large sukkah,” located on Chabad’s Oakland property.
On Oct. 18, Chabad at Pitt will host Hillel JUC for a Shabbat dinner.
Marcus pointed to group meals and Jewish study as means of accessing the holiday’s significance.
“Our Jewish learning fellowship will meet in the sukkah. Our Jewish education classes will be in the sukkah. There will be snacks, activities and plenty of opportunities to hang out,” he said.
Safety concerns should never be ignored, but neither should the spirit of Sukkot nor the benefit of coalescing young Jewish leaders, he said.
“Celebrating and being together as a student community in the sukkah is the focus of our intentions,” he said. “Although we are keenly aware of the challenges this year, we are working with university police, leadership and Shawn Brokos. We cannot lose focus on the joy and celebration of Sukkot, of being in community and celebrating our Judaism.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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