Jewish Movements Unite for Israel Solidarity Sabbath

By JTA October 15, 2015

The major Jewish movements in the United States will observe a Sabbath of Solidarity with Israel.

Rabbis and leaders of the Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Reconstructionist movements in conjunction with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations have designated the Shabbat of Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 as a special Sabbath of Solidarity with Israel, the Conference said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The Conference is undertaking a series of programs and actions to demonstrate the support of the American Jewish community for the people of Israel as they face a wave of terror and violence which has taken a heavy toll. The attacks of recent days are unique in that they appear spontaneous and occur around the country, targeting people going about their daily lives,” Stephen Greenberg, Conference chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, CEO of the Conference, said.

“We hope that all synagogues will add special prayers in addition to the prayer for the State of Israel in their Sabbath morning services and that rabbis will use their sermons to discuss what is occurring. We also hope they will encourage members to visit Israel, express public support for Israel in the media and to elected officials, and maintain contact with Israeli friends and relatives,” they also said.

Participating in the Solidarity Sabbath are: the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Rabbinical Assembly, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Rabbinical Council of America, as well as the National Council of Young Israel and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities.

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