P'nai Or, the Jewish Renewal Congregation joined the "Standing in Solidarity for Racial Justice" Vigil at the Unitarian Society of Germantown to mark the Jewish High Holidays, in a gathering for justice on Friday, September 10.

Standing on top of the stairs overlooking Lincoln Drive, P'Nai Or member Rabbi Malkah Binah Klein blew the shofar (ram's horn) three times: to sound the cry, to sound the alarm, and to "call forth our courage to do what is right to protect one another and our planet." The horns of the passing cars below joined in.

The gathering was part of a longer vigil that began on June 2, 2020, one week after the murder of George Floyd. It continued daily for 15 months during the evening rush hour, with several dozen participants each day, and recently switched to a twice-weekly format, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Rabbi Shawn Zevit of Mishkan Shalom added, "We have not forgotten and we continue to show up." This was the second year that members of local Jewish congregations have taken part in the USG vigil as part of the Days of Awe, a period of making amends and committing to change. "It is a call to ecological, social and economic justice," said Rabbi Zevit.

More information at solidarity@usguu.org.

Mary Kalyna is a USG member and coordinator for the September 10 vigil.