Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on March 4, 2017

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)-After threats on Jewish institutions around the county,terror is very real formany Jews in the U.S. There were31 threats against Jewish Community Centers and day schools just on Monday.

But fear hasnt stopped the Congregation Children of Israel from reaching out to their neighbors. If anything, these threats have encouraged it.

Jews celebrate Shabbat, or the Sabbath, every Friday evening.

But this weeks Shabbat was special. Hundreds of synagogues across the the U.S. And Canada celebrated Shabbat across America

Weopen the gates to everyone. Jews, and non-Jews, said Rabbi Shai Beloosesky ofCongregation Children of Israel.

Congregation Children of Israel invites non-members to Shabbat Across America every year. This year, they hosted several local Christian leaders and members of the Keys Grove Baptist Church.

This year, [has] got something, a taste, becaues what happened in the last three, four weeks, Beloosesky said. And it came, and suddenly, we got so many support from reverend[s]here in town.

Serviceslike this show that threats against Jewish institutions have backfired in some ways theyre actually bringing the community closer together.

Very, very important that we come together because when you look at all this that is going on the world today, that shows a separation, said Rev. Rickey G. Dent of Keys Grove Baptist Church. But today, tonight as we come together for Shabbat service, thats bringing everybody together regardless of your religion.

Beloosesky says he is grateful for the support in a difficult time, and he would gladly do the same for other faith groups.

If its against Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindu, whateverbecause in my perspective, we have to respect any belief. Any human kind, he said.

He says at the end of the day, were more alike than differnt

We are human beings, he said. And we believe in thesame thing, but we are walking it another way.

The service was followed by a dinner at the synagogue, which everyone was also welcome to join.

The FBI and Justice Departments civil right division continue to investigate the threats against Jewish Community Centers and Schools.

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Local synagogue invites people of other faiths to unity service - WJBF-TV

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