Brentford Football Club’s “Sukkah-In-The-Stadium” event, held at the Brentford Community Stadium on 23 September, 2021, has drawn praise from Jonathan Metliss, the Chairman of anti-racism charity Action Against Discrimination (AAD), who was in attendance.
The event marked the Festival of Sukkot, a holiday in the Jewish New Year. (In the Jewish tradition, a “Sukkah” is a booth commemorating the passage of the Israelites in the desert after the departure from Egypt.)
Brentford’s initiative brought together a number of anti-racism groups and included representatives of Chelsea Football Club and the Metropolitan Police. Also in attendance was Rabbi Jonathan Hughes of Radlett United Synagogue of which Cliff Crown, Brentford Chairman, is a member.
Those attending were met by Cliff Crown and prayers with Rabbi Alex Goldberg and a group discussion followed.
Jonathan Metliss, whose AAD organisation campaigns against all forms of racism in sport, says: “I applaud this initiative from Brentford who have come out strongly against all forms of racism – including anti-Semitism – which will not be tolerated at the Brentford Community Stadium. I look forward to other clubs following this most worthwhile effort to improve community relations and address the continuing racism in football.”
