Synagogue Vigils: Six Years of Challenging Judaic Zionism Since September 2003, a small group of determined people of conscience and faith have held weekly nonviolent vigils outside Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Members of Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends stand vigil to protest and draw attention to the synagogue's open and unabashed support for apartheid Israel. Rabbi Robert Dobrusin has stated publicly that his Congregatioin " affirms without any hesitation … the legitimacy of the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish state ..." As with any other supremacist state, a "Jewish state" can never fully include, nor respect the rights of, non-Jews living under its rule, let alone the millions of Palestinian refugees whom Israel prevents from returning home. We will help inform and empower participants to oppose Judaic Zionism. Participants will learn about the 1942 statement by 757 rabbis that "Zionism is an Affirmation of Judaism" and how, locally, Judaic Zionism (like Christian Zionism) underpins US support for the apartheid state of Israel. Participants will learn why the JWPF vigils began and how they have succeeded in drawing local and national attention to the plight of the Palestinian people and the role of religious Jews in their suffering.
Vigílias de Synagogue: Seis Años de Desafiar el Zionismo Judaico Since September 2003, a small group of determined people of conscience and faith have held weekly nonviolent vigils outside Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Members of Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends stand vigil to protest and draw attention to the synagogue's open and unabashed support for apartheid Israel. Rabbi Robert Dobrusin has stated publicly that his Congregatioin " affirms without any hesitation … the legitimacy of the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish state ..." As with any other supremacist state, a "Jewish state" can never fully include, nor respect the rights of, non-Jews living under its rule, let alone the millions of Palestinian refugees whom Israel prevents from returning home. We will help inform and empower participants to oppose Judaic Zionism. Participants will learn about the 1942 statement by 757 rabbis that "Zionism is an Affirmation of Judaism" and how, locally, Judaic Zionism (like Christian Zionism) underpins US support for the apartheid state of Israel. Participants will learn why the JWPF vigils began and how they have succeeded in drawing local and national attention to the plight of the Palestinian people and the role of religious Jews in their suffering.
Since September, 2003 we have held silent, peaceful vigils outside Beth Israel Congregation prior to services on Saturday mornings. This congregation supports the state of Israel's claimed "right" to exist as a Jewish state in Palestine, and is a center of nationalist support for that state. They indoctrinate their children with visits to Israel, posing with soldiers on tanks and armored personnel carriers. Their name translates literally to the "House of Israel".
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