"What do we do when the unspeakable happens? We stand together. First and foremost, as a people. And as the Federation Movement," Temple Beth-El's leadership wrote in an email sent Wednesday afternoon. "From Toronto to Tampa. Montreal to Minneapolis. Cleveland to Corpus Christi. Federations across the continent are participating in Solidarity Shabbat: Stand With Pittsburgh.
Temple Beth-El, along with other synagogues across the country, will participate in an interfaith vigil to honor the memory of those murdered at Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha in Pittsburgh.
"We are witnessing an unprecedented rise in anti-Semitic acts in America, up 57% in 2017," the email continued. "And, in the aftermath of the lethal attack at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, we are also witnessing an outpouring of support — reminding us that 'out of the fires of desperation burn hope and solidarity.' Peace-loving citizens from every corner of the globe, clergy from every religious sector, political leaders from both sides of the ocean and both sides of the aisle — are uniting with us for Solidarity Shabbat across the continent."
Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Nov. 1: 7:30 p.m. | Event details here | Can't make this event? Attend another Solidarity Shabbat in Pinellas or Pasco
This article appears in Nov 1-8, 2018.