Jews Talk Racial Justice - Ep 4: Sukkot, Black Panther, and Gratitude
QUICK EPISODE OVERVIEW
Sukkot provides a rich holiday for April and Tracie’s meaning-making. Together they discuss the importance of gratitude, *especially* in the wilderness, what Black Panther can teach us about Sukkot, and the holiness and sovereignty of the body.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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Tracie begins the episode by recounting the importance of gratitude when you’re in the “wilderness.” When in the “wilderness,” what strategies do you use to stay grounded?
While sharing her connected Black Panther and Sukkot wisdom, Tracie reminds us of the practice of welcoming ushpizin, Aramaic for “guests,” into the shelter of our sukkah - specifically our ancestors. Which of your ancestors, whether familial or spiritual, would you welcome into your sukkah to be in conversation with? Why? And, what would you be in conversation about?
As April says following Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing, “he’s left such an indelible mark on so many, so may that memory be cherished and leveraged for Black and collective liberation and love.” How have Chadwick Boseman and/or other film or TV actors contributed to the broader effort for liberation in their character representations or work in general? Are there any other folks who come to mind?
April reminds us to hold sacred and have gratitude for the progress that we have made, even while immersed in the wilderness and in the continued fight against injustice. In your life and in your social justice work, what strategies can you use to strike this balance and regularly practice gratitude for what we’ve done?
When further reflecting on the importance of holding this balance (described in the previous question), April recounts how her social justice efforts look different on different days, being in the streets protesting one day and supporting folks in their work another. Reflecting on your own life and your own social, what shifting roles do you play in the collective struggle for justice?
April explains her belief that “vision combined with mindful, thoughtful action is more powerful than reality.” Do you agree? Why or why not? And, how might you have seen this be true in your life?
April and Tracie discuss the regulations of building a Sukkah - that one side is open and three sides are closed - and how we can learn from this and apply a balance of sovereignty and openness in building the container of our lives. What kind of container do you want to build for yourself moving forward this year? What other lessons might we be able to take from the holiday of Sukkot?
INSIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE
“Especially in the 21st century and especially now, when our only communication with so many people is virtual, I think we have divorced the spirit, the intellect, the body. And they’re not divorced. They are fully integrated and we show up at our best when we remember that.”
“With a lot of fear and pressure and tension swirling, I think it’s all the more important that we lift up and regularly practice gratitude and appreciation for what we do have for what can never be taken from us.”
“Together, we build the Mishkan.”
“Even in the worst of circumstances, I need to hold and remember that the sun is still rising, and that babies are being born, and various people are having dreams come true.”
“I believe that vision combined with mindful thoughtful action is more powerful than reality. Our reality is just a result of what’s happened in the past. And in my own life, I’ve seen the progress that I’ve been able to make individually and collectively in deep partnership with allies and friends when we weren’t limited by reality, but instead we said, ‘What do we actually want to envision and begin to build into existence?’”
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
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