Sukkat Shalom - Food, Faith, Friendship and Honest Conversation
October 06, 2025
There’s something special about the Jewish festival of Sukkot — the way it invites people to gather, share food, and open their tents (and hearts) to others. That spirit was alive on October 6th, when people of many faiths and beliefs came together at the Brighton Jewish Community (BNJC) building in Hove for a multifaith gathering called Sukkat Shalom ("Tabernacle of Peace"), hosted by our BHFA Chair Stuart Diamond.
After Stuart’s words of welcome, the time began with a "human barometer" exercise. Instead of listening to speeches, participants were invited to move around the room and physically take a stand on questions touching on faith, society, and public life.
It was a simple idea, but it changed the dynamic in the room. Rather than sitting apart, people found themselves face to face, talking through real differences and shared hopes. Laughter mingled with moments of serious reflection and challenge — and that was precisely the point. Real dialogue begins when people are willing to be open and curious.
The conversation then moved into personal introductions. Not just names and roles, but stories — why people care about multifaith work, what brought them into the room, and what they hope to see change.
There were faith leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, Pagan, Sikh and Humanist communities. Civic figures, including Councillor Jacob Taylor, Amanda (the Mayor), and representatives from Sussex Police, spoke frankly about issues such as social division, inequality, and the decline of shared spaces.
Several contributions stood out:
- Tim Jones, a Christian working for BHFA, spoke about seeing “God’s work in all tribes” and using his podcast to amplify diverse voices.
- Mary Watson shared the Baha’i vision of unity in diversity.
- Rabbi Andrea Zanardo reflected on how religion can be both an anchor and a bridge.
- Barinder, from the Sikh community, spoke about Brighton’s potential for deeper multifaith collaboration.
- Police officers described the importance of religious literacy in policing.
Others spoke of childhood experiences of exclusion, or growing up in multifaith families, and how these shaped their commitment to dialogue.
The diversity in the room wasn’t only in background or belief, but in the perspectives and motivations people brought. Yet there was a shared thread running through it all: a desire to listen and be understood.
Naming the Challenges, Owning the Opportunities
As the discussion unfolded, a number of common themes emerged:
- Unity and diversity: How can we celebrate what we share without losing the richness of difference?
- Religious literacy: How can councils, the police and the NHS better understand and serve their faith communities?
- Social action: How can faith groups work together to address poverty, homelessness and inequality?
- Youth engagement: How can the next generation be brought into these conversations?
What was striking was the willingness to face these issues honestly, rather than smoothing them over.
A Shared Table, A Shared Hope
As the formal conversation drew to a close, guests came together around shared tables for a delicious lunch provided by Novellino restaurant.
Rabbi Andrea Zanardo offered words of welcome and reflection, linking the gathering back to the heart of Sukkot: hospitality, joy, and the fragile, open structures that remind us of our shared humanity.
Over shared plates and conversation, new friendships began to take root. Ideas that had been voiced in structured dialogue found a more relaxed life over food and laughter.
What Happens Next Matters Most
Before the lunch ended, Stuart offered a simple challenge: “Let’s make the tent bigger.”
The hope is that these conversations won’t stay confined to a single event. Participants were encouraged to:
- Keep talking and listening beyond formal gatherings.
- Share positive multifaith stories within their communities and online.
- Use faith calendars to plan inclusive civic events.
- Bring younger people into these conversations.
- Join upcoming gatherings such as the Vigil for Solidarity and the Civic Harvest Festival.
A Day to Remember
Sukkat Shalom was about more than talk. It was about people choosing to show up, to listen, and to share space with honesty and hope.
In a time when public discourse can feel fractured, this lunch was a reminder that the city we want begins with the conversations we have. As one participant said, “We may not agree on everything, but we can build something together.”
