On Saturday night, Nov. 3, 100 people gathered outside the Young Israel of West Hartford for a Havdallah Solidarity Service. The crowd sang songs of camaraderie and unity as a tribute to the victims of the Pittsburgh massacre. The gathering was part of a nationwide effort to #ShowUpForShabbat, where Jews and gentiles alike packed synagogues all across the country in a remarkable show of solidarity, taking a stand against hate and antisemitism.

“Havdallah calls on each of our senses – smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing – reminding us to use our entire being towards our sacred obligation and responsibility to go out into a new week and partner with God to repair the world and to make our society, our community, and our country a better, safer, and more perfected place,” said Rabbi Tuvia Brander, the congregation’s spiritual leader. “We were so honored and touched by the outpouring support by our community and by all of the people of good conscience who came out to stand with us in this dark time. In Jewish tradition, we often say ‘may we celebrate together in good times.’ Our prayer and blessing is that we have more opportunities to come together as one community in more happy occasions.”