The World Jewish Congress’ Jewish Diplomatic Corps (WJC-JDCorps) is spearheading a Solidarity Shabbat with the people of Rwanda, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and is inviting people from around the world to take part.
Whether it is for one minute, through one thought, or by having one conversation, we believe that it is an important symbolic step in standing shoulder-to-shoulder with another community, to show that we are sympathetic to their history and their suffering, as we wish others to be to ours.
The 1994 genocide, which is commemorated each year on April 7th, shook the world. The extensive media coverage of the brutality perpetrated against the victims brought their suffering into living rooms across the globe. Yet, the failure of the international community to prevent a crime of this scale, which has since been tragically repeated, served as a call to action for Jewish communities worldwide. An example of this was the advocacy undertaken by the Jewish community to stop the genocide in Darfur less than 10 years later.
As we work to strengthen Jewish communities worldwide and work to ensure that Jewish communities have a voice in global affairs today, let us be guided by Rabbi Hillel’s famous question: “And when I am for myself alone, what am I?” (Pirke Avot 1:14).
We hope the contents of the attached Shabbat Reader help you commemorate this anniversary in a meaningful way, and invite you to share your experiences after Shabbat. Please spread the words throughout your network, and to family and friends.
