Events and Activities Ideas:
Shabbat Zachor - March 2002 - 13 Adar
Shabbat Zachor is the Shabbat of Remembrance. It dedicates a Shabbat to our Jewish brethren suffering around the world. For the most part, these are Jews experiencing political oppression for the simple fact that they are Jews.
Background: Shabbat Zachor
Over the past 15 years, we have seen freedom granted in many of the places where distressed Jewry once existed. The Jews of Syria, Ethiopia, Russia and elsewhere are free and many live within the borders of the State of Israel.
Yet, if we look at Shabbat Zachor in a much larger scope, why should we stop with just our Jewish brethren? Jews are also part of the bigger group, the human race.
Since for the most part, there are few distressed Jewish communities around the world, why not shift our attention and dedicate Shabbat Zachor to those that suffer all over the world.
Event Ideas:
1) A Ceremony for the Oppressed – Shabbat Zachor was reserved as the Shabbat for Oppressed Jewry around the world. More recently, many of the distressed Jewish communities around the world are no longer oppressed and many have migrated.While our Jewish brothers and sisters are free of oppression, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are many around the world who are oppressed. In the larger context, Shabbat Zachor can be updated to address the oppression of mankind.
The opportunities for programming to combat oppression are endless. You can tailor Shabbat Zachor to focus on local social issues or an international social justice issue.
2) Bring back the Boys Campaign – The Israeli MIA's is another example of how we can expand the message of Shabbat Zachor. Currently there are several Israeli soldiers that remain missing in action. While the return of these soldiers should be an all year effort, we should reserve Shabbat Zachor to remember these brave young men and to offer support to the families who must endure the anguish of loving for missing soldiers.
There are many different approaches that you can take on this topic, from information campaigns to memorials. It is key that people understand the humanitarian or human-interest side of this issue.
In America, the wounds of our MIA's from Viet Nam still run deep. This might be a unique opportunity to co-sponsor an event with your campus ROTC group or military studies program. Also, don't forget that there are American MIA groups and VFW halls all over the country can relate to this the issue of MIA's.
3) Oppressed or Suppressed – Shabbat Zachor reminds us that oppression still exists in many different forms. There are a many interesting discussions that you can facilitate on this theme. Some possible topics might include:
Oppression on the Inside – Jewish apathy
A Minority in the Majority –
being Jewish in Christian America
The Helping Hand – ways to help other
communities in need
Resources:
ADL, Jewish Agency, World Zionist Organization, VFW and US Veteran Groups, Friends of IDF, Free Ron Arad Campaign, Israeli Defense Forces, International Coalition for Missing Israeli Soldiers
This article also belongs to the following subjects:
Jews Around the World
Judaism
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Holidays with a Twist
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Shabbat
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