There is a quiet magic that comes with stepping into a sukkah. The walls are thin and the roof is open to the sky. It is fragile by design, a shelter not of stone but of spirit. Yet, somehow, despite its simplicity, it feels complete. This is not because of its structure, but because of the people inside. A sukkah fulfills its purpose only when it becomes a space of togetherness, shared stories, and open hearts.
Currently, as antisemitism rises and Jewish belonging is increasingly questioned in communities around the world, the themes of Sukkot – hospitality, openness, and inclusion – take on renewed significance. They are the foundations of Jewish resilience. They are also the same values that lie at the heart of shlichut, the sacred emissary work that strengthens Jewish life in every corner of the globe. Their work reflects not only the needs of today’s Jewish world, but also the timeless wisdom of our tradition.
Nowhere is that wisdom more beautifully embodied than in the mitzvah of ushpizin, of welcoming guests into our sukkah. This ritual reflects one of the deepest truths of Jewish life: We create holiness through hospitality. The sukkah is a space of inclusion, where everyone has a seat and is valued. Its purpose is fulfilled when we open it to others, drawing people in with warmth, generosity, and presence.
This is the essence of shlichut
Emissaries build community by opening doors, inviting people in, and making space for every Jew to feel connected, whether they are deeply observant or taking their first steps toward Jewish identity.
Sometimes, that connection begins with something as small as a smile and a snack.
That’s what happened when one couple, serving as emissaries on the East Coast of the United States, noticed a new Jewish family moving into their apartment complex. The family was unaffiliated and had grown disillusioned with Jewish institutions. The shlichim welcomed them warmly and offered snacks to their children. It was a simple gesture, but the repercussions were enormous. Over time, the families grew closer, and the once-disconnected neighbors began participating in synagogue life. Today, they are pillars of their local Jewish community.
What began with one small act of hospitality became a gateway to belonging. This is the quiet power of shilchut. With each conversation, each shared meal, each heartfelt gesture, shlichim help people feel part of something bigger. They bring the embrace of the Jewish people to life, offering connection, community, and a sense of home wherever they go.
Yet inclusion isn’t only about who enters our sukkah. The sukkah’s structure itself teaches us a powerful lesson: With its temporary walls and roof exposed to the sky, it reminds us that Jewish life is nourished by openness, trust, and connection.
This is why emissaries step beyond the comforts of their own homes and serve others with humility and joy. Like the sukkah, they create spaces that are open and welcoming – alive with the presence of others – and go out of their way to extend a warm embrace to anyone in need.
In a powerful example, Rabbi Yehuda and Batya Strul, emissaries in Tucuman, Argentina, supported a young man who had grown closer to Judaism through their mentorship. He was offered a life-changing job interview in Miami. However, to make the flight, he would have to leave for the airport on Shabbat. After consulting with Rabbi Strul, they arrived at a creative solution: the young man would spend Shabbat in the airport so as not to violate the sanctity of the day. Rebbetzen Strul didn’t stop there. “You can’t let him sit there alone,” she insisted to her husband. Instead, she packed a full Shabbat care package of wine, challah, and other food and sent Rabbi Strul to the airport to spend Shabbat with his student.
That act of commitment speaks volumes about the kind of deep, personal relationships at the heart of shlichut. It’s not just about programs or outreach; it’s about showing up. In every community they serve, emissaries remind us that the bonds we build with one another that sustain Jewish life – the trust, the love, and the shared sense of purpose that hold us together.
Together, all of these strands of Sukkot weave into a single message: Jewish life cannot flourish in isolation. It must be shared with and opened to others. And that is why we must continue to encourage and support rabbis, educators, and other Jewish leaders to take on the mission of shlichut.
The sukkah reminds us that Judaism thrives when we open the door and go out into the world. This Sukkot, let us honor our shlichim and rededicate ourselves to the idea that Jewish life, wherever it may be, is worth building, strengthening, and sustaining – despite the challenges.
The writer is director of Ohr Torah Stone’s Straus-Amiel and Beren-Amiel Emissary Training Institutes.