(RNS) — At the University of Rochester’s Palestine solidarity encampment, in the quiet of a spring sunset, a large circle of university staff, faculty and students focused on two professors leading a ritual in English and Hebrew. As prayers were said and small cups of grape juice were passed around, one of the celebrants jokingly assured the Christians in the circle, “This is grape juice, just grape juice, it’s not transforming into...
‘The protest is a ritual’: How faith found a place in Palestine solidarity encampments
Over the past nine months, student-led Palestine solidarity encampments popped up at universities across the country. For many students, multi-religious programming at the encampments became unexpected sites for religious connection.
Jewish students lead a hand washing ritual during a multifaith service at Harvard University’s Palestine solidarity encampment on April 28, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. Participants were covered with a prayer shawl and took turns washing one another’s hands, pressing oil into their palms and reciting prayers in Hebrew and English. (Photo courtesy of Fede Monterofe)
