Shabbat of Solidarity

Friday, June 26, 2015

In an extraordinary display of unity, a broad cross-section of American Jewish organizations has joined together to declare this coming Shabbat, June 26th, to be a Shabbat of Solidarity with the African-American Community. In light of the horrific act of violence in Charleston, South Carolina, leaders of the Jewish community are asking their members to participate in this Sabbath of Solidarity.

Among the suggested actions for rabbis, congregations and organizations are to speak out in synagogues this coming Shabbat on the issue of racism in society and to express rejection of hateful extremism.  All rabbis and congregations are encouraged to reach out to AME churches in their communities with expressions and demonstrations of support.

The call to action is consistent with the historic ties of the Jewish and African American community going back to the Civil Rights era. Additionally, on June 17, 2015 the CCAR Board passed a new resolution on Racial Justice.

The organizations who have endorsed this call to action include Central Conference of American Rabbis, Union for Reform Judaism, the Rabbinic Assembly, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Rabbinical Council of America, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America, American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and Hillel.