‘We’ll Meet in the Sukkah’ brings people together for face-to-face dialogue across Israeli society

The initiative, "We'll Meet in the Sukkah," is dedicated to Moshe Ochion and his son Eliad, both of whom were murdered in the October 7 attack in Ofakim just one day after taking part in it.

The Safeguarding Our Shared Home (Shomrim al HaBayit Hameshutaf) organization is continuing its annual initiative to bring Israelis of different backgrounds and opinions under the shared s’chach of sukkahs across Israel for the fourth year in a row.

The initiative, "We'll Meet in the Sukkah," is dedicated to Moshe Ochion and his son Eliad, both of whom were murdered in the October 7 attack in Ofakim just one day after taking part in the initiative that year.

The organization invites people and groups across the country to register their sukkahs to host guests or visit other sukkahs for face-to-face dialogue and exposure to a variety of opinions, worldviews, and demographics.

"We are entering a period where we will naturally hear much more about what divides us," Eyal Gur, one of the leaders of Safeguarding Our Shared Home, said.

"Election campaigns are built on disagreement and the presentation of differing worldviews - that is part of democracy. Yet, alongside political discord, it is crucial that we do not lose the ability to speak with one another."

Face-to-face disagreement important as elections approach, Gur says

Gur explained that the goal of the "We'll Meet in the Sukkah" initiative is not to make people agree, but to allow for conversation even through disagreement.

"The Sukkah offers us a chance to step away from screens and headlines for a moment, to meet face-to-face with someone who thinks differently than we do, to listen to them, and to share our own views," he said.

"I believe this ability is more important than ever, especially as we approach the elections."

Among the sukkahs taking part in the initiative is one dedicated to Haymanot Kasau, who went missing almost three years ago. Her family will be present in the sukkah throughout the holiday.