This MLK Weekend, Observe Shabbat Tzedek in Your Community

Shabbat Tzedek, observed annually the weekend before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, is an opportunity for congregations and members to celebrate the achievements of movements for racial justice, and to look toward the challenges ahead.

From January 13-16 this year, Reform Jewish congregations across North America will host and take part in educational programming, cultural activities, service projects, and political advocacy. With the new U.S. administration’s inauguration just a week away, it’s more important than ever that Reform Jews reaffirm their commitments to education and action around racial justice.

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism has a variety of resources to help congregations observe Shabbat Tzedek:

• Congregations should strive toward Audacious Hospitality year-round, but Shabbat Tzedek is an opportunity to reflect on progress made and plan for a stronger embracing of our community’s diversity in the future. Check out the RAC’s checklist "18 Things You Can Do to Embrace Racial Diversity in Jewish Communities," as well as a list of articles, books, and other resources for congregations that are working on undoing racism in their community.
• For white Jews, Shabbat Tzedek can inspire allyship. The RAC has resources for white Jews seeking to be effective allies and activists in the struggle for racial justice.
• Plan a morning service, evening service, and/or religious school service that honors the civil rights movement, social justice, and civil rights leaders. These songs and readings will guide you.
• In addition to hosting Shabbat Tzedek services, film screenings can be an engaging way to educate members about racial issues. The RAC shares a list of films for reflection on racial justice. Other films that can educate around racial issues are the Netflix documentary 13^th and, for families, Zootopia.
• The RAC and Repair the World have put together a racial justice discussion guide that raises complex issues and that challenges our vision of a just society. This discussion guide can be used at Shabbat Tzedek dinners across communities.

For more resources, visit the RAC’s Shabbat Tzedek page. Racism persists in our country and in our communities, but Reform Jews have a legacy of fighting for racial justice. Shabbat Tzedek is an opportunity to honor and continue that legacy.

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