Frequently Asked Questions

Does my faith community have to participate April 13, 2012?

While any Shabbat can be a Freedom Shabbat, we encourage communities to hold Freedom Shabbat during Passover. Passover is the time that Jews all over the world come together to remember and relive our history, for we were once slaves in Egypt. We now have an opportunity to not only celebrate our own freedom but fight for those who are as we once were.

What are the expectations of my community?

There is no set standard expectation: we’re asking you and your community to acknowledge modern slavery on this date. It can be as simple as a 3 sentence acknowledgement, but there are a variety of other ways to incorporate it into your Passover programing. Engage your local faith community in the fight against slavery by incorporating the issues into synagogue life and worship of the Torah: pray and lead sermons against slavery, encourage study groups and teams to actively work on behalf of survivors and organizations on the front lines, and challenge ecclesiastic structures to adopt policies, practices, and theologies that reflect Judaism’s stance against slavery. We also have information packet with more ideas on Passover programming.

What does it mean that Freedom Shabbat is “collaborative?”

The issue of modern day slavery is worldwide and has infected communities of all kinds and classes. If change is to come it will be a result of people standing together for the rights of all people. Shabbat is the perfect time for Jews to come together all around the world, declaring their commitment to freedom worldwide.

Freedom Shabbat: day or movement?

Both! While Freedom Shabbat is celebrated world-wide on this specific day, it does not mean that Jews and people of all faiths shouldn’t take any opportunity year-round to fight for freedom in whatever ways they can.

Connect with us:

Questions about the Jewish Abolitionist Movement email: freedomshabbat@notforsalecampaign.org
Questions about Not for Sale or the Abolitionist Faith Community write to: Kevin@notforsalecampaign.org

Not for Sale on Facebook
Abolitionist Faith Community on Facebook
Not For Sale’s EMPOWER TOOL