Jewish activists to hold Tashlich ceremony in Amherst on Sunday

Amherst

Amherst STAFF PHOTO

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 10-04-2024 9:39 AM

AMHERST — Concern for the well being of immigrants to the United States, and how those who have come to the country may be affected by a second Donald Trump administration, will be discussed as part of a Tashlich ceremony Sunday afternoon.

Being held at Groff Park, 83 Mill Lane, from 1 to 3 p.m., members of the Jewish Activists for Immigration Justice are organizing the ceremony, observed on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, and where sins are symbolically cast away into a natural body of water, in this case the Fort River that goes by the site.

For the immigration justice activists, who in the past have visited asylum-seeker camps at the Texas border and a migrant children’s detention center in Florida, a discussion will center on the upcoming presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump.

“We will first talk about what is at stake in the next presidential election, especially if Project 2025 comes to pass,” says D. Dina Friedman of Hadley, referencing the Heritage Foundation’s detailed blueprint for a Republican president’s policies, and which critics contend would be used by Trump to govern.

Trump himself has proposed that millions of people be removed from the country under what he has said would be largest ever deportation operation.

“Immigrants among us are less safe,” Friedman said.

The Tashlich ceremony will have an immigration narrative and how to envision a world in which people are welcomed and recognized for their contributions and how the United States should be open to immigrants.

The event will then move to the ritual gathering, reflecting on what individuals or society will let go of and what needs to be created, by tossing small rocks and stones into the water. They will also talk about what they are aspiring toward and share songs.

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Participants, including Jews, allies, immigrants and activists, will have access to the park’s pavilion and picnic tables. People are also encouraged to bring snacks to share and chairs.

Co-sponsoring the event are the Jewish Community of Amherst Tikkun Olam Committee and Northampton’s Congregation B’nai Israel Tikkun Olam Committee.

For more information and updates, go to facebook.com/events/394124530094446/

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.