Jewish community in Berkhamsted builds temporary hut for Sukkot in act of interfaith friendship
Festival celebrating resilience and reflection takes on deeper meaning after recent attacks, with community leaders calling for unity and understanding between faiths
A Jewish community in Berkhamsted has built a temporary hut to mark the start of Sukkot, a seven-day festival that celebrates shelter, reflection and resilience.
Rabbi Neil Janes said the South Bucks Jewish Community, which does not have its own building, was invited by a nearby church to put up its booth — known as a sukkah — in its grounds.
“The festival reminds us of the fragility of life,” he said. “The sukkah is meant to be strong enough to stand, but light enough that a strong wind could blow it down. It teaches us that we all need protection and support.”
He said celebrating in the shadow of an ancient building carried a powerful message of “permanence and impermanence” and showed what can be achieved through friendship between faiths.
Last week’s terror attack at a Manchester synagogue left two men dead and several others injured. Police said a 35-year-old man, believed to have been influenced by extremist ideology, was shot dead at the scene after being stopped from entering the building. Six people have since been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.
Following the attack, Rabbi Janes said his community would continue to celebrate openly. “We are not going to stop practising our Judaism,” he said. “We’re opening our doors to others to share our celebrations. People can contact us through our website if they’d like to show support.”
He said the last two years had been difficult for many Jewish people, but the relationships built with other local faith groups had been vital. “After the attack last week, I had messages of support from Muslim, Christian and interfaith communities,” he said. “That shows how much progress we’ve made in building trust.”
Rabbi Janes called for national leaders to help strengthen these ties. “There needs to be investment in what it means to live together in today’s society,” he said. “It’s about belonging — for everyone.”