Rockville Centre community rallies support for Israel

The Rockville Centre community stood in solidarity with Israel at a special gathering on Oct. 10, three days after the attacks carried out by the terrorist organization Hamas near the Gaza border.

More than 100 congregants, residents and elected officials gathered at Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David for an evening of somber prayer and comfort, in the wake of the attacks on Oct. 7 that claimed the lives of at least 1,200 people who were brutally massacred in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival.

The attacks, which included numerous missile strikes, were a coordinated assault that took place during Simchat Torah — an annual Jewish holiday immediately following the festival of Sukkot, which marks the beginning of a new cycle of Torah readings — and resulted in the capture of more than 150 hostages.

Since the attacks, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza territory, effectively cutting off supplies of electricity, food, water and fuel to the region.

“We must, despite the difficulty of the time, try to give each emotion its own space,” Rabbi David Lerner, of Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David, said. “Our grief. Our shock. Our anger. But also our whole. Our faith. Our prayer. And that is what we will attempt to do tonight. To try and give space to many of these feelings in response to the recent and ongoing tragedies inflicted on our people.”

To try and help the community maintain its resolve in the days and weeks ahead, Lerner and Rabbi Michael Cohen, of Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, united congregants from the two synagogues for a vigil in support of the people of Israel.

“This year, this Simchat Torah, instead of dancing and celebration, children were instead begging for their lives, for the lives of their parents, for the lives of their baby brothers and sisters,” Lerner said. “In many cases, those cries were answered with bullets and machetes — documented for the world to see. These monsters. These depraved human beings do not deserve space on this Earth. They need to be dismantled and wiped out.

“The Jewish people have been here before,” Lerner added. “We have survived the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. We survived the destruction of our temple. We survived the Inquisition. We survived the Crusades. We survived the (Holocaust). Our greatest revenge to these despicable refuse of humanity is to live on, and we will. They will be swept into the dustbin of history, as were the Babylonians. As were the Nazis. They will be gone. We will survive.”

Lerner’s words reflected the sadness and outrage felt by millions around the world who watched in shock and disgust at the murder and bedlam carried out by Hamas terrorists.

“It’s unfortunate that such a tragedy is what brings us together,” Cohen said. “And I am angry and I am sad. I’d love to ask how we get back those we’ve lost. Simple, but the answer is we can’t. But we can pray for peace, and we can support our brothers and sisters in Israel.”

Cohen noted that moments of turmoil and distress remind people of the strength and support of a community united. That moments of uncertainty and fear can unite members of the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jewish communities, along with politicians, friends, family and neighbors.

Before joining Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, Cohen served in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command for five years as a psychological operations sergeant, and nine years in the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division as a Jewish chaplain.

“I’ve felt the tremors and shockwaves of bombs,” he said. “I’ve felt the recoil of the rifles and the sounds of the ambulance. Death observed is a lifetime of sleepless nights and regrets. I fought terrorists in Afghanistan, Qatar and Kuwait. I stood shoulder to shoulder with South Korea, pushing back North Korean soldiers. I have protected democracy in Haiti. To those who are against the righteous and the free, they will receive the full might of Israel. But tonight is a time for prayer.”

Mayor Francis Murray joined Lerner and Cohen during the service to voice his support for the people of Israel, and to condemn Hamas’s wanton destruction.

“Over the past 12 years, I’ve been touched by Temple B’nai Sholom’s invitations to me to speak from this very podium,” Murray said. “They have been happier occasions — holidays and celebrations. But tonight I come to you with a heavy heart, and join you in prayers for Israel and the victims, and to express my disgust and outrage for the terrorists who have brought such atrocities. Tonight we come together and stand in solidarity with the people of Israel, and extend our deepest condolences to the Israeli and American lives lost in these unprovoked attacks by Hamas. We continue to stand with Israel as they protect and defend their loved ones against these horrific terrorist attacks.”

Lerner said that while Americans pray for a return of peace and tranquility to Israel, there are things we can do to help. “There are organizations that provide emergency services in Israel that desperately need our help,” he said, adding that one way to do so is to donate to Magen David Adom, the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, as it continues its search-and-rescue efforts in the wake of the devastating attacks.

For those looking to donate or for more information on the volunteer services provided, visit AFMDA.org. Thanks to a pledge by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, every dollar raised to help emergency services in Israel will be matched by Bloomberg Philanthropies to help double the impact during this time of crisis.