Casting off complicity in genocide

JVP members and supporters gather for Tashlich in Portland, Maine

On the eve of October 7, 2024, Jewish Voice for Peace chapters in 26 cities across the country gathered to mourn a year of unspeakable loss, and to demand the U.S. government stops arming Israel. 

Led by Rabbis, Jewish Americans wore white — traditional for this holy period — and gathered to hold public mourning rituals to grieve every life lost over the past year and demand that the U.S. stop arming the Israeli military. 

This heartbreaking anniversary of one year of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians comes in the middle of the holiest week of the Jewish year, where Jews are called to reflect on their wrongdoings in the previous year and commit to changing course. It also comes as the Israeli government expands its campaign of death and destruction, bringing war to the entire region.

For the last year, JVP members and supporters have gathered in prayer and protest across the country to say, loudly and clearly: Not in our names. We are demanding that the U.S. government stop arming Israel, which is the only way to reach a ceasefire and stop Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.

On October 6, over two dozen  Jewish Voice for Peace chapters across the country gathered to mourn every life lost this past year by holding tashlich rituals, or the symbolic casting away of transgressions during the High Holy Days.

Throwing pebbles, flowers, and paper boats into bodies of water across the country, they symbolically cast off their complicity in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.

During the days of Teshuva, the ten-day period between the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, JVP members sang and prayed, renewing our resolve to build a future where Palestinians and all people live in freedom and safety. 

“During the sacred days of Teshuva, our tradition asks us to reflect on our wrongdoings and change course. After a year of death and destruction, it is essential that the U.S. stop arming the Israeli military as it wages genocide in Gaza. For a year in our grief and outrage we have prayed and protested for an end to this genocide and we will persist  because life is sacred and must be defended.”

_{Rabbi Rachel Kipnes, JVP Rabbinical Council member}

Detroit, Michigan (Photo credit: Andrew Mullin)

This year, we mark one year of genocide against Palestinians during the holiest week of the Jewish year — a time of reflection, atonement, and repair. From Portland to Knoxville, Detroit to Los Angeles, JVP members gathered in prayer and song in cities across the country to demand that the U.S. stop arming Israel.

“We gather as anti-Zionist Jews during the holiest week of the year to affirm our commitment to a world where all people live in safety and freedom. The Israeli military, funded by the U.S. government, is betraying Jewish values and violating international law. In grief and outrage we call on the U.S. to stop arming Israel to save lives now.”

_{Rachel Levy, JVP-Detroit} 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Photo credit: Rachael Warriner)

JVP is at the forefront of the resurgence of the Jewish justice movement. JVP members and supporters have mobilized in unprecedented ways to demand an end to the U.S.-backed genocide of Palestinians — and we’ll continue to cry out with everything we have until Palestine is free. 

“During this sacred week, I pray that the U.S. stop arming Israel and commit to doing all that it can to end this genocide. The Israeli government is catapulting the entire region towards war, and threatening the lives of millions, including its own citizens. I represent thousands of American Jews who are resolute in calling on the U.S. government to stop arming the Israeli military. We know life is sacred and will continue to protest until this genocide ends and Palestine is free“

_{Stefanie Fox, Exeuctive Director, JVP}