+ What is the Solidarity Sabbath?

During the month of May, which is Jewish American Heritage Month, all Members of Congress are invited to engage with the Jewish community in a meaningful way: for example, participating in a shabbat dinner, attending a service, visiting a synagogue, or hosting a roundtable with local Jewish leaders.

+ Who is sponsoring this initiative?

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice and American Jewish Committee (AJC) are partnering on this special month-long event. As a human rights organization created to carry on the legacy of Congressman Tom Lantos – the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the U.S. Congress – the Lantos Foundation has the privilege and responsibility to be Tom’s voice on the issues he cared about most deeply including combating antisemitism and Holocaust denial. AJC, the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, counters antisemitism in all its guises by calling on governments to act and by organizing coalitions with other faith and ethnic groups to forge a united front against hate.

+ Why should I participate?

This simple but powerful act will stand as a sign of your solidarity with the American Jewish community and with Jews throughout the world, including in Israel. It will also demonstrate your sincere commitment to the continued fight against the scourge of antisemitism.

+ Why is this necessary?

From the Tree of Life synagogue shooting to the murder of Sarah Halimi in France, to the Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis, the danger to Jews around the world and here at home has only grown. The shocking and horrific October 7 attacks against Israel laid bare a virulent, violent global antisemitism the likes of which many of us thought we would never see again after the horrors of the Holocaust. In short, the world is a more frightening place for Jews today than it has been for generations. The Secure Community Network logged 5,404 reports of threat incidents and suspicious activity targeting the Jewish community in 2023, more than doubling 2022’s total of 2,551. Between October 7 and the end of last year alone, SCN recorded more threat incidents and suspicious activity reports than in all of 2022.

Antisemitism is wrong anywhere in the world, but it should be unacceptable here in America. From targeted attacks on Jewish institutions and local businesses, to the insidious spread of anti-Jewish speech online, antisemitism is causing American Jews to change their behavior out of fear. According to AJC’s 2023 State of Antisemitism in America report:

63% of American Jews say the status of Jews in the U.S. is less secure compared to one year ago. In 2022, this number was 41%. In 2021, it was 31%.

46% of American Jews say they altered their behavior out of fear of antisemitism. In 2022, this number was 38% — a significant eight percentage point jump in one year.

+ How can I participate?

Participation is easy – we only ask that you engage in a meaningful way with the Jewish community. It can take whatever form works best for you and your schedule: for example, participating in a shabbat dinner, attending a service, visiting a synagogue, or hosting a roundtable with local Jewish leaders. If you would like assistance connecting with a synagogue or Jewish leaders from your district or state, please reach out to partnerships@ajc.org.

+ Is there a specific day or location where I have to do this?

We ask that you take part in Solidarity Sabbath during the month of May – the day you choose should be whatever works best for you and your schedule. May is Jewish American Heritage month, so all days are appropriate. Jewish services and Shabbat dinners are typically held on the Jewish Sabbath (Friday evenings), but other activities on non-Sabbath days still count! You can participate in an activity during your time in Washington or in your home state/district.

+ Are you tracking participation?

Yes! A very important part of this initiative is showing that there is broad support in Congress for the Jewish community. We are keeping track of Members that participate and will be sure to recognize your solidarity. We intend to compile pictures, videos and statements for use in social media, a post-Solidarity Sabbath event on Capitol Hill, and in other appropriate mediums. We also want to help you spread the word about your participation in the initiative. Once you submit contact information through the form above, we will provide your Communications Director with a package of materials that can be used to promote your participation in Solidarity Sabbath, including a draft press release and a social media toolkit.

+ What happens after I participate?

Once your office has participated, we ask that you send any available pictures or videos, along with a brief description of the activity, to solidarity@lantosfoundation.org. Please also use the hashtag #SolSab2024 in any social media posts, so we are sure to see them. We aim to have a follow-up event on Capitol Hill celebrating the success of this initiative, and all participants will be invited to attend.