From Friday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Oct. 2, you may have seen a flag-adorned hut on top of Mazur Terrace at Temple University. For those who were unaware, this hut was Jewish Voices for Peace’s Solidarity Sukkah. Â
Sukkah in Hebrew means “hut.” Sukkot is the plural and what the holiday is commonly referred to. But according to Jewish Center, a Sukkah “commemorates G‑d sheltering our ancestors as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land” while also celebrating the Jewish Harvest Festival.Â
Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP) is a nation-wide organization. Its core focus is to “fight for the liberation of all people.” JVP is staunchly anti-Zionist, anti-racist, and pro-Jewish. They believe that by fighting Zionism they can both liberate the Palestinian people while also creating a world where Jewish culture is protected as well. They believe that the idea of Zionism is opposed to the values of Judaism. Â
The Sukkah created by JVP was more than just to celebrate the safety of their ancestors and the harvest. Their hut also shined light on the ongoing United-Nations-declared genocide of Palestinians. At their Sukkah, JVP hosted crafts, discussions, teachings, and documentary viewings all centered around their advocacy for Palestine. Â
The Sukkah was decorated with a banner that stated how this was in solidarity with Gaza. Flags of Iran, Cuba, and of course Palestine to name a few were hanging around the hut as well. Â
By being an organization for anti-Zionist Jews, JVP demystifies stereotypes by showing that there are Jews who do not just denounce Zionism, but that are actively making efforts like the Solidarity Sukkah to stop it. Â
By demystifying Jewish stereotypes, they are also combating antisemitism. Many people feel that prejudice against Jewish people has increased since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel. They also feel the same is happening to Muslims and Arab people as well.Â
According to The Pew Research Center, 89% Of Jewish adults in the US feel as if antisemitism has increased since Israel’s attacks on Gaza, and 36% of Muslims feel the same. 70% of Muslim adults in the US feel as if islamophobia has increased, and 36% of Jews agree, too. 47% of Jews and 64% of Muslims also feel as if racism against Arab people has increased, too.Â
When dealing with conflicts that have placed religion at the front of their reasons for fighting, like Israel and Palestine, it is very easy for people on either side to view all of those with the same religious beliefs to be for or against something. This is not difficult to do since people of the same religion have the same beliefs in that regard, but it does not make it true for everyone’s personal beliefs. Â
Something that is overlooked when discussing these acts of solidarity is how it has the possibility to make Temple’s campus feel more welcoming for Jewish, Muslim, and Arab students alike. For Jewish students, it disproves that they are not a monolith and do not all agree with Israel or its attacks on Gaza. For Muslim and Arab students, it disproves the idea that their Jewish peers may have a preconceived idea about them because of their religion. Â
Hopefully, the Solidarity Sukkah has provided awareness about what is happening in Gaza while also proving that by breaking down stereotypes, Temple’s campus feels like a safer space for all.