The Elephant in the Sukkah

What does a Talmudic debate about using an elephant as a sukkah wall have to do with grief?

In this Erev Sukkot sermon, Rabbi Lea Mühlstein reads the rabbis' discussion in Sukkah 23a alongside Sherri Mandel's children's book The Elephant in the Sukkah, where a boy makes room for a singing elephant by letting it become one of the walls. Drawing on Mandel's work with bereaved children, she suggests that loss at first feels too big to contain, and that with others' support we can build a new vessel large enough to hold it. 

After the Days of Awe, Sukkot becomes a season of post-traumatic growth: a joy that doesn't ignore reality, but lets the elephants in.

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What is Kolot: Voices from The Ark Synagogue?

Welcome to Kolot, the podcast of The Ark Synagogue, a bold, experiential and caring Progressive Jewish community in Northwood, London.

Through sermons, reflections and conversations from across our community, Kolot explores Jewish life, learning and values in the world we live in today. Rooted in tradition and open to new perspectives, these episodes bring together voices that inspire thought, connection and belonging.

Whether you are Jewish, exploring Judaism, or simply looking for meaningful reflection, you are warmly welcome.

To learn more about The Ark Synagogue, visit arksynagogue.org.