An estimated 1,500 people came together Wednesday at the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur Wednesday night to not only show their solidarity for Israel but to grieve, seek solace and explore how they could be of assistance.
They heard prayers, songs, requests for help and several speeches with messages of hope, resilience, Israel’s right to retaliate and the need to stand up and defend that right.
“We can gain strength in seeing so many of our friends and neighbors gathered together with us. In a world that is becoming increasingly polarized, tonight we are here to find commonality and unity together in our love and support of one another and of Israel,” said Brian Herstig, CEO and president of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.
The Federation sponsored the event in response to Hamas’ attack Saturday that killed at least 1,200 Israelis and injured thousands more. It was the most Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust, more than 75 years ago.
The power and emotion of the evening were palpable as Herstig set the tone with a ferocious conviction.
“This is our homeland. Israel is our refuge. It is our heartbeat. As one people we unequivocally support the land of our ancestors and assert that an attack on the state of Israel is an attack on all Jewish people. It is an attack on our hearts and our soul. And we are fully committed to putting those right. As the sovereign nation and the Jewish people and defend her people and her borders against any that dare breach this, we declare together here tonight and forever,” said Herstig.
Why they came
Most people said they came for one reason: to stand together and to support Israel and its people.
Max and Sabrina Gornish came with their two children Hannah, 11, and Jackson, 7 1/2, and another couple, Max and Jerilyn Oppenheimer and their two children, Maya, 9, and Owen, 5. All four children attend Epstein Hebrew Academy.
“Any way for us to support Israel from as far away as we are is important,” said Max Oppenheimer. “And there’s no better way to feel like you’re somewhere than to be in a place with a couple thousand other people who believe the same way you do.”
Added his wife, Jerilyn, “Instead of dividing us it’s going to unify us.”
Hannah Gornish, a sixth grader, admitted that there was a little parental pressure for her to come, but she was very glad she did.
“As Jews we believe Israel is our home, we were promised it from God, and he told all of our fathers that it was going to be ours. Our brothers and sisters in Israel right now are suffering and that’s so sad. So, it’s very important that we come here to have a better understanding and be together.”
For Betty Rubenstein, the sheer senselessness of the slaughter of innocents was why she needed to be at the gathering.
“I am, we all are part of the Jewish people, and to see people getting maimed and killed with absolutely no reason. It’s just hard to believe. But we must make it crystal clear we are with Israel and that’s it,” said Rubenstein.
Andrea White drove from Wentzville with her two sons, Kasen, 7, and Myles, 2. She said she was a little hesitant to bring her children because of safety concerns but decided she – and they – needed to come.
“I’m here to support my friends and family in Israel and all the people there,” said White, who said her best friend’s family and her best friend’s husband’s family live in Israel. She said she explained to Kasen last night about “how Israel is at war and America is going to back up Israel because they are our friends.”
For many in attendance, the last four days erased the deep political divides that existed in Israel over the past many months. The gathering in its own way, helped redefine the word “solidarity.”
“Tonight, I think the meaning of the word is clear. I think it means that everybody puts aside whatever differences they have, political or otherwise, and stands together to support Israel in a time of need,” said Rick Abrams.
“Whether I agree or disagree with the current government in Israel I think supporting a democratic country’s right to exist and to support them at a time when terrorists are attacking civilians is crucial,” said Gay Lipman, who lives in Clayton.
Clayton schoolteacher Debbie Garbow came to the gathering for her family living in Israel.
“I have a daughter, son-in-law and five grandchildren who live in Jerusalem. I’ve spoken to them several times, and they are safe and sound in terms of not being hit by rocket fire, but there’s a lot of anxiety amongst everyone.
Powerful prayers
After powerful words from St. Louis Jewish community members Galit Lev-Harir and Michael Oberlander who are both currently in Israel, the audience joined Talia Wolkowitz, a native St. Louisan who served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years in reciting the Prayer for the IDF.
But perhaps the most powerful moment of the gathering was Rabbi Moshe Shulman of Young Israel of St. Louis, telling the audience that on the past Shabbat, the attack and abduction of innocent civilians forced him to recite a prayer that he had not said in many years. The prayer for the captive.
How you can help
As the war in Israel continues, the St. Louis Jewish community can help those affected by the violence and destruction. The Jewish Federation of St. Louis has launched the Israel Emergency Fund to provide services, support, and hope for our friends and family in Israel.
Editor-in-chief Ellen Futterman contributed to this story.
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