In observance of Tisha B’Av, the Jewish national day of mourning, the local community will hold a solidarity vigil this Sunday, Aug. 3, for the estimated 50 hostages remaining in Gaza.
The vigil — presented by the Baltimore Jewish Council and Run for their Lives — will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. on the front lawn of Har Sinai Oheb Shalom Congregation, 7310 Park Heights Avenue in Pikesville.
The synagogue’s lawn will display posters of the hostages still in captivity, and participants at the gathering will read the names and biographies of captives and recite prayers for their release.
Security will be present at the vigil.
Also in observance of Tisha B’Av, Jews United for Justice and other groups will hold a rally at Hopkins Plaza, in front of the George H. Fallon Federal Building in downtown Baltimore, to demonstrate resistance to the ongoing attacks against immigrant communities in Maryland.
The program, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., will include a mincha afternoon prayer service, learning about concrete ways to support immigrants in the fight against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other activities.
The program will be held outdoors, rain or shine.
Besides Jews United for Justice, the rally is co-sponsored by Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation, Am Kolel, the Baltimore Jewish Cultural Havurah, Beth Am Synagogue, BHC Justice, Bolton Street Synagogue, Chevrei Tzedek Congregation, Chizuk Amuno Social Justice Advocacy, East Bank Havurah, Har Sinai Oheb Shalom, Hinenu Baltimore, Kol HaLev, the New Synagogue Project and Oseh Shalom.
“On Tisha B’Av, we are overcome by the brokenness of a world not yet made whole,” said Rabbi Tyler Dratch of Beth Am Synagogue in Reservoir Hill, who will help lead the Tisha B’Av service. “This year, as our friends, colleagues, and neighbors are kidnapped off the streets, we feel the intensity of that rupture. We fervently pray that God will witness our tears and hear our cries, that we may stand up from this moment and mobilize into action.”
For information, visit jufj.org/event/iceout
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