JOIN THE GAZA CHILDREN’S SHROUD Washington, DC -November 12-20
The Gaza Children’s Shroud began its journey in Philadelphia on September 1 at City Hall, followed by an inter-faith vigil at the Church Center for the United Nations September 16. For the first time, in DC for the first time, the entire Shroud comes together as one. Laid out end to end, it is longer than a football field.
The Gaza Children’s Shroud is an extraordinary act of collective remembrance and witness: a memorial bearing the handwritten names of more than 20,000 Palestinian children killed in Gaza. Their names have been inscribed by more than 70 Christian, Muslim, and Jewish congregations, alongside community organizations and people of conscience across the country.
Each name represents a child whose life must never be forgotten and whose death demands justice. This act of remembrance is also a call to action, asking each of us to carry the children’s names into our communities and turn our grief into sustained public witness and advocacy. Please watch the Gaza Children’s Shroud Movie. The movie a 15-minute journey centered on the voices of the children of Gaza.
Throughout this week, we will organize a number of events detailed below.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Become an Endorsing Organization — Join the Gaza Children’s Shroud in Washington, DC. Become an endorsing partner and use this registration form to let us know how you would like to participate, including organizing your own events and activities.
Congregations and Community Groups — Join “The Shroud Is Everywhere” Week (November 17–22). We invite 30–40 congregations and community groups across the DC area to each host a Shroud panel for vigils, prayer services, community gatherings, and readings of the children’s names. Together, we can create a powerful interfaith witness across Washington, ensuring that every child’s name is spoken and remembered. Registration form to participate.
Mark your calendars and follow us on Instagram @gazachildrenshroud to see the many activities being organized, including:
Congress Bears Witness: Inscribing the Children’s Names
November 12 & 16 (Capitol Hill)
In partnership with Doctors Against Genocide, we will bring the Shroud to the House of Representatives on November 12 and again to the Senate on November 16, inviting members of Congress to personally inscribe the names of Gaza’s children. We plan on having a significant portion of the Shroud there - permissions permitting.
Doctors Against Genocide (DAG) Annual Conference
November 13-15 (Georgetown, DC)
Join us for one day or all three days of the annual Doctors Against Genocide (DAG) Conference to explore the role and responsibilities of medicine in the face of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Hear first hand accounts from our colleagues on the ground in areas of some of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. Engage in powerful discussions and come away informed, inspired, and empowered to act.
Register for the DAG conference here. See DAG’s work at www.doctorsagainstgenocide.org
A Kite-Flying Gathering & Vigil for Gaza’s Children
Saturday 2PM, November 14 (Washington Monument, National Mall)
Join us on the National Mall in honor of the courage of the children of Gaza who flew kites through the genocide. We invite children and welcome people of all ages to decorate and fly kites for Gaza’s children, celebrating their cherished tradition of kite flying as a symbol of freedom and their dreams that cannot be extinguished. Kits will be provided.
Together, we will hold a vigil and unfurl the entire Gaza Children’s Shroud, stretching more than a football field in a powerful act of collective remembrance and witness.
Please register your interested to attend by emailing GazaChildrenShroud@gmail.com
Interfaith Vigil for Gaza’s Children - The Shroud Unveiled In Its Entirety
Saturday 6.30PM, November 14 (Capitol Hill United Methodist Church)
Join us for a powerful evening of remembrance, interfaith witness, and collective action as we present the entire Gaza Children’s Shroud, bearing the handwritten names of more than 20,000 children killed in Gaza.
The evening will feature an interfaith vigil led by Imam Saffet Catovic and other faith leaders; moving testimonies from Palestinian families; and a special address on witness and justice-making by Father John Heagle, Chair of Priests Against Genocide USA. Learn about the Doctors Against Genocide Freedom Campaign to fund the rebuilding Gaza’s healthcare; and help shape the Shroud’s growing movement and impact in 2027. Light refreshments and food will be served.
Please register your interest to attend by emailing gazachildrenshroud.com
Service by Priests Against Genocide
Sunday, 3PM, November 15 (Holy Trinity Church/McKenna Hall, Georgetown)
A Prayer Vigil focused on the plight of the Palestinian people, Gaza Children's Shroud, and the call to seek truth, justice and peace.
The Shroud Is Everywhere: A Week of Remembrance and Action
November 17-22 (DC Metro Area)
We invite 30–40 congregations and community organizations across the DC area to host a panel of the Gaza Children’s Shroud for a week of remembrance, reflection, and action. Groups can organize interfaith vigils, prayer services, community discussions, film screenings, poetry and cultural events, and gatherings to write letters to elected officials. Each panel is 6 feet by 8 feet with 350 names hand inscribed.
Each group will read 500 names of the children killed, with the 20,000 names collectively read aloud across the DC area. This week is marked by World Children's Day (Nov 20) and the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (Nov 29).
The link for congregations/groups who wish to participate.
Congress Bears Witness: Inscribing the Children’s Names
November 16 (Capitol Hill)
We return to Hill, inviting members of Congress to personally inscribe the names of Gaza’s children. We plan on having a significant portion of the Shroud there - permissions permitting.
