British Jews go ‘hungry for peace’ during Ramadan
British Jews last night broke a one-day Tammuz fast in solidarity with Muslims fasting in the month of Ramadan, as rabbis, students, activists and everyone in between lined up to call for peace in Israel.
The initiative at JW3, dubbed ‘Hungry for Peace’ after its hashtag, came amid the Gaza operation, which has seen hundreds of Palestinians killed and over a thousand rockets fired from the coastal enclave.
The original idea of Jews and Muslims joining together in an organised fast came in a visit of Israelis and Palestinians to the home of the family of the murdered teenager Naftali Frankel.
“As an Anglo-Jew who feels helpless in this terrible conflict,” said Barnet resident Holly Kal-Weiss. “This is one way I can show my support for a lasting peace.”
Tuesday’s fast marked the 17th Tammuz, the fast of Tisha B’Av, an annual fast day in Judaism which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Jews from Israel.
This year it also falls during Ramadan, a month during which observant Muslims fast for 30 days during daylight hours.
“This day of fasting is not just for Jews and Muslims,” said Rabbi Lerner, the editor of Tikkun, a progressive Jewish interfaith magazine. “We say yes to peace, reconciliation and non-violence.”
Orthodox, Reform and Liberal rabbis from across the country lined up in support of the initiative.
“It’s purpose is to send a message that many British Jewish supporters of Israel want to loudly and clearly call for de-escalation, a return of calm, a return to the negotiating table and the creation of two states for two peoples,” said Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi from Birmingham. “The only way that can guarantee stability and security in the long run.
However, some communal bodies declined to back it. In a statement, the Board of Deputies said: “This is not the type campaign on which we would take a position.”
Hannah Weisfeld, director of Yachad, said: “We must remain steadfast in our commitment to a peace that will guarantee both Israelis and Palestinians self-determination, safety and security.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
