By COLlive reporter
Photos by Shimon Roumani
The International Sukkah, built by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, stood proudly once again this year right across the United Nations at the Isaiah Wall in New York City.
And like in the past, the sukkah hosted diplomats, elected officials, civic and business leaders during the days of chol hamoed for a chance grab a bite and shake the lulav.
“Let the eternal ‘Sukkas Sholom’ — The Sukkah of Peace, counter balance all the rhetoric and diatribes from across the road,” said Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, “and bring peace, real peace, genuine and authentic peace, between nation and nation and between man and man.”
Michael Miller, Director JCRC and co-sponsor of the event, stressed the unity brought about by the “Four Kinds” of the Festival of Sukkos, how it is translated into practical deeds and how the Sukkah unites all.
Ambassador Ido Aharoni, Consul General of Israel to the UN, spoke about the inspiration he and his colleagues get from this Sukkah. “It gives us a sense of pride, joy, commitment and resolve to continue our task.”
New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver spoke about his trip to Israel last summer. “I wanted to be there to give my support and to see with my own eyes the terror of our enemies and the justice of our cause,” he said.
U.S. Congressman Gerald Nadler related that he felt that he had to go to Israel this summer to give his support, see the situation first hand and bring back a report to his colleagues in the United States Congress.
Congressman Nadler stated proudly that the support and commitment of Israel in the United States Congress is strong and unwavering.
U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel said that he is happy to be here and stated that the support, commitment and friendship of the United States Congress to Israel is very strong and that he was very happy to vote for the support for the Iron Dome.
New York City councilman Mathew Eugene spoke about the great help Israel offered Haiti in its time of need. “This is something that will always be remembered and greatly appreciated.”
Rabbi Butman concluded that we should merit to witness the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah inscribed on the wall near the Sukkah “…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more,” with the imminent coming of Moshiach.
GOOD FOR THEM! SO IMPORTANT TO SHOW THEM ISRAEL PRIDE