#ShowUpForShabbat: Khan tells congregants ‘London stands with Jewish community’
Mayor of London took part in a "deeply moving service" following last week's Pittsburgh shooting, saying "the capital stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Jewish community."
Sadiq Khan attended yesterday’s Shabbat service at West London Synagogue, where he told the congregation how “the capital stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community, both here and around the world.”
Answering calls from Jewish community leaders to take part in the #ShowUpForShabbat’ international initiative following last week’s shooting in Pittsburgh, the Mayor of London said: “Today I joined the West London Synagogue at their Shabbat service to show solidarity to the victims of the Pittsburgh shooting last weekend. In the face of hatred, we stand united.
“Deeply moving service at West London Synagogue today, honouring the memory of the victims of the atrocity in Pittsburgh last weekend. London stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Jewish community here and around the world.
“Places of worship should be sanctuaries and safe spaces.”
Deeply moving service at West London Synagogue today, honouring the memory of the victims of the atrocity in Pittsburgh last weekend.
London stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Jewish community here and around the world. #ShowUpForShabbat #PittsburghStrong @tweetWLS https://t.co/HYl9HG1zoF
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) November 3, 2018
Khan had earlier this week paid respects to victims of the attack at the community’s vigil at JW3, organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
Speaking in his sermon during the service, Rabbi Neil Janes said: “I want to welcome all those from near and far who have taken the opportunity to #ShowUpForShabbat with us this weekend in an act of solidarity and support, in particular the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. I cannot tell you how truly sustaining and significant the small act of sitting in pews with us all across the world has become – and a message of strength to Tree of Life Or L’Simcha Congregation and the grieving families.
“Last week Jews were gunned down in pews like these, today in defiance we sit together with the human family to strive to increase the goodness in the world, to bring light to darkness, to show that we will not be cowed by violence in our observance of our faith or engagement with the world.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
