Progressive and Masorti rabbis to hold Downing Street vigil to show opposition to Gaza war
As part of Havdalah ceremony rabbis will say continuation of war is dangerous for hostages and hopes for 'future state of Palestine'
Some of the most senior rabbis in Progressive and Masorti Judaism are to stage a vigil outside Downing Street on Saturday night to show their opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to continue the war in Gaza.
During the event, part of a Havdalah ceremony, the rabbis will pray in solidarity with the hostages and also with those Gazans suffering from a lack of essential aid.
They will also offer direct criticism of the Israel’s actions in relation to delivering aid into Gaza, saying that “denial of aid crosses a moral line” and is “against Jewish ethics.”
One rabbi’s contribution will be to state that continuation of the war is dangerous for the hostages, the future of Israeli democracy and “hope of a future State of Palestine.”
Organised by the religious leadership of Progressive Judaism with the participation of religious leaders from Liberal, Reform, and Masorti Judaism, the rabbis will gather outside No.10 after the conclusion of Shabbat at 9:30pm on Saturday.
Among those due to attend on Saturday evening are Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, co-leads of Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu, chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors and Rabbi Igor Zinkov, Chair of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors.
Masorti Rabbi Jeremy Gordon from New London Synagogue will join the vigil and David Djemal, cantor at New London Synagogue, will lead Havdalah.
At the start of the ceremony Rabbi Alexandra Wright, president of Liberal Judaism, is expected to say: “We, as Jewish religious leaders – rabbis and cantors, including the most senior progressive rabbis in the country, are protesting the continuation of the war in Gaza.”
While Sha’arei Tzedek Synagogue Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu will add: “We are praying in solidarity with the hostages and those Gazans being starved and suffering from lack of essential aid in Gaza.”
Rabbi Baginsky is then scheduled to announce “Havdalah marks the end of the Sabbath and divides the past from the future.
“We are singing, praying, and lighting this candle of hope for immediate change.”
While Rabbi Levy is expected to state: “We are standing in solidarity with Israelis, with Palestinians, for peace.”
As part of the havdalah ceremony, those present will say in Hebrew, Arabic and in English “From starvation to fullness. From desperation to hope.
“From darkness to light. From captivity to freedom”
Elliot Karstadt, Rabbi of Alyth Synagogue is then scheduled to say: “As Jewish religious leaders, we demand safe and sufficient aid. Denial of aid crosses a moral line.
“Anyone who blocks supplies of food, water, medicine, and electricity is indefensible. This is against Jewish ethics.”
While Rabbi Zinkov will add: “This war is dangerous for the hostages, dangerous for the future of democracy in Israel and dangerous for the hope of a future State of Palestine.”
Jackie Tabick, Britain’s first female Rabbi, will add: “Let us not allow our grief to harden into indifference to the cries of the vulnerable. Let us rise to the moral challenge of this moment.”
The ceremony takes place ahead of a larger demo backed by the main communal organisations in support of the hostages, but which has been critical of the UK government’s stance on recognition of a Palestinian state.
Jewish News understands there has been criticism of Sunday’s demonstration from some over its apparent failure in its advertising for the event to call out Netanyahu’s government over the Gaza war.
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