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A Few Clouds Jewish community prays and vows to support Israel
Congregants in the East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center gathered for a moving prayer service last week, reflecting on the conflict in Israel. Feelings of sadness and frustration resonated throughout the synagogue’s sanctuary, as across the world, the Jewish people are facing the reality a difficult war with the Palestinian militant group, Hamas.
Hamas, which controls the Gaza strip, and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union, attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing over 1,400 people and taking hundreds captive. As of last Thursday, at least 25 Americans were among those killed.
Israel officially declared war on Hamas on Oct. 8, and launched a large-scale counter attack.
Rabbi Aaron Marsh of East Meadow-Beth El led the congregation through prayers, including “Avinu she-ba-shamayim” — “A Prayer for the State of Israel,” among others, which targeted aspects of the war, such a prayers for hostages and prayers for Israel Defense Forces.
There are members of East Meadow-Beth El that are directly impacted by the conflict, including a member’s niece, who lives in the region that was attacked, Marsh said. Her husband was described by Marsh as a member of the area’s “neighborhood watch,” who did not have a weapon available to him when the fighting began.
“He bundled his wife, his two sons, one of them a toddler and one of them an infant, into their safe room,” Marsh said. “Understand that the safe rooms are meant to protect them from missiles. They don’t have locks on them. They’re not there to protect them from foot soldiers.
“He told them to barricade the door with whatever you can barricade the door with, and he went with whatever he had to defend his family,” Marsh went on. “From the inside, they heard gun shots, and the next thing they knew, there were people trying to break into the safe room and they were not successful. So they lit the house on fire.”
The wife and children managed to escape the blaze unharmed.
“There’s a lot of shock and trauma involved in this,” Marsh said. “They did not find the body of her husband anywhere. Perhaps hopefully, he’s still alive, perhaps in captivity right now.”
Marsh said the last few days have been “challenging” for Jewish people all over the world.
“We’ve seen what’s happened over there — if you’ve actually seen with your own eyes the videos and pictures and the aftermath of what’s really happened — it’s hard,” he said. “It’s hard to find any words for that.”
Marsh said he does not think another ceasefire would be beneficial.
“We make a ceasefire now and don’t eliminate Hamas’ capabilities in every way that we can, they’re just going to plan another one of these attacks” he said. “It will be this bad again — or worse.”
David Wayne, co-president of East Meadow Beth-El, informed the congregation that his great-niece, who’s currently in Israel, is safe. He said the synagogue fully offers its support to Israel.
“During this horrific time of violence against our brethren in Israel, the world should know that the congregation at East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center stands firm in its support for Israel,” Wayne said. “There is no doubt in my mind, and I’m sure in your mind, but it should be in everybody’s mind, that this congregation will stand for as long as it takes in full support of Israel — and do everything in its power to make sure that Israel is supported by this country in every way, shape and form.”
He added the congregation has a “responsibility” to make sure its support of Israel front and center.
“You, like me, must be anxious,” Wayne said. “We call this room a sanctuary. But it is a sanctuary. The only way to relieve that anxiety is to be among your friends, to be among your people. Look around you — these are your people. It is through the strength we give to one another, that we can alleviate that anxiety.”
Marsh offered suggestions as to how people can help Israel. People can drop off checks to the main office of the synagogue, and write on the memo “Israel Emergency.” Money will be distributed accordingly to organizations supplying frontline help to Israelis affected by the conflict. It was also suggested that people purchase Israeli bonds, and support Israeli businesses, that maybe supply goods to the U.S.
Synagogue co-president Carey Welt assured congregants that East Meadow Beth-El is enhancing its security measures.
“We have been the recipient of several homeland security grants to harden and make our temple more fortified,” he said, “against any kind of intrusion that may take place. We’re going to be improving our security over our internet. We’re going to be securing our facility and increasing the security of our doors and windows. You’re going to see that in the coming months as we spend the grant money that we have received.”
Welt said everyone coming to the synagogue should feel safe. “When you come here, you should not feel that you are in an area where you will be threatened,” he said. “You should feel that when you’re here that you’ll be safe.”
Marsh encouraged everyone to stay loud about the subject, attend rallies, and show the public that American Jews stand with Israel. Marsh said he’s available to meet with people who may feel they just need to talk.
“I urge you not to let terrorists accomplish their goal of terror by preventing us from living a Jewish life,” he said. “And I am available to anybody who wants to give me a call, wants to come and meet with me, talk personally about what’ going in Israel, with people in your family and with your friends.”
