AJC Calls on Cincinnati Community to #ShowUpForShabbat
November 1, 2018 – New York – AJC is urging the Cincinnati Jewish community, as well as civic and religious leaders, to flock to synagogues on Friday night and Saturday morning, November 2-3. The #ShowUpForShabbat initiative was launched by AJC after the horrific attack at Tree of Life Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh, which left 11 Jewish worshipers dead and another six people wounded.
“We must speak out and stand up against those who target Jews. Coming to synagogue this Shabbat will send a clear, strong message that Jews are not afraid,” said Cathy Heldman, AJC Cincinnati regional director. “We know today that Jews are not alone. In our country, in our city, elected officials as well as other religious and ethnic communities recognize that an attack on any faith is clearly an attack on all faiths.”
The AJC Cincinnati initiative is part of a worldwide effort by the American Jewish Committee, a leading global advocacy organization, to fill synagogues in a demonstration of solidarity and unity against anti-Semitism and hate. Representatives from AJC’s 22 offices across the United States are reaching out to clergy, diplomats, local government officials, and other community leaders to encourage them to participate in the #ShowUpForShabbat campaign, while the organization’s 11 international offices are working with partners in over 35 Jewish communities around the globe to launch similar initiatives locally.
From New York to New Zealand and from Utah to the UK, thousands of Jews and people of all faiths are pledging to #ShowUpForShabbat this weekend in solidarity with Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and sending a resounding message that love triumphs over hate.
Other local, national, and international Jewish organizations are being asked to encourage their members to participate in the campaign. Synagogues are being called upon to welcome the anticipated influx of attendees at their Shabbat services with explanatory programming, and rabbis are being asked to dedicate their sermons to discussing the initiative.
Social media users are being encouraged to tweet and post about their plans to attend Shabbat services this weekend using the hashtag #ShowUpForShabbat.
For more information, contact the AJC Cincinnati office at cincinnati@ajc.org.