8 September 2019

Liberal Judaism is urging its members to #ShowUpForShabbat on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October… and bring friends of all faiths and none with you.

The initiative started last year after the attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh when 11 congregants were murdered at prayer.

The killer had intended for the Jewish community to then cower in fear and silence, but instead more people than ever turned up at synagogues around the world on the following Shabbat. Over 250 million people – including world leaders – also interacted with the hashtag on social media.

#ShowUpForShabbat was organised by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and supported in the UK by all the denominations of Judaism, as well as the Jewish Leadership Council and Board of Deputies.

Now the AJC are planning it again for this year. They are asking Jews around the world to do three things on the weekend of October 25/26:

1. Show up for Shabbat, again. Attend Shabbat services at a local community, invite your family and friends to join you. If you are away from home or not currently a member of Liberal Judaism, please visit our communities pages to find your nearest Liberal congregation. Please make sure to let them know you are coming in advance.

2. Urge others to join you and help grow the movement.

3. Go to AJC.org/AddYourName and add your name in support of this initiative. Use #ShowUpForShabbat on social media. Let the world know that you are not afraid.

Daniel Elbaum, AJC chief advocacy officer, said: “Last year, at the lowest moment in American Jewish history, we discovered that we were not alone.

“Yet as the one-year anniversary of Pittsburgh approaches, so much more needs to be done. The last 12 months has seen more antisemitic murders, a startling increase in antisemitism on social media and even antisemitic sentiments at the highest levels of government.

“Together, we can turn a global campaign of solidarity into a powerful force against hate. We’re asking you to join us. Will you show up?”