Rome Leaders Offer Blessings of Peace at Sukkah

Two days after police and protesters clashed in the Italian capital, local dignitaries joined members of Rome’s Jewish community for a Sukkot demonstration of ethnic tolerance.

Taking place at the Sukkah of Peace, a temporary hut at the Piazza Farnese that was built for the third consecutive year by Chabad-Lubavitch of Rome, the celebration featured words from Lazio regional president and former General Labor Union secretary general Renata Polverini. She stressed that contrary to the events of Saturday, Monday’s party expressed the true Rome.

“Today, once again we support an important initiative for the Jewish community,” said Polverini, “because only the friendship between area institutions and communities can improve young people’s prospects.”

Open for the duration of the weeklong holiday that began last Wednesday night, the bamboo-topped hut offers the opportunity for hundreds of tourists and local Jews to celebrate Sukkot by eating in the structure.

Chabad-Lubavitch of Rome director Rabbi Yitzchok Hazan, right, Union of the Centre majority leader Pier Ferdinando Casini, Edith Arbib Anav, Israeli Ambassador Gideon Meir, and Rabbi Menachem Lazar offer a Sukkot toast in the Sukkah of Peace at the Piazza Farnese.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hazan, Amira Meir and Lazio regional president Renata Polverini discuss the holiday of Sukkot at the Sukkah of Peace.

Mino Haddad, Councilor of Rome Federico Rocca, Gianni Letta, Third Precinct President Dario Marcucci, and Rabbi Yitzchok Hazan gather outside the Sukkah of Peace built by Chabad-Lubavitch of Rome.