Westchester Residents Voice Support for Israel

Westchester residents are expressing their support for Israel after the weekend attack by Hamas.

Here are statements from local leaders and information about rallies.

On Tuesday night October 10, Westchester Stands With Israel will hold a countywide solidarity rally at 8 pm at Temple Israel Center of White Plains at 280 Old Mamaroneck Road in White Plains. Participants are asked to register to attend here:

Rabbi Jonathan Blake of Westchester Reform Temple made the following statement and invited the community to attend a Vigil for Israel on Wednesday night October 11. Details are below.

Tomorrow evening, Wednesday, October 11th, at 7:00 PM, please join the clergy of WRT, fellow Westchester Community Synagogues and clergy, Shachar Liran-Hanan, the senior JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) shelicha (emissary) to the Westchester Jewish community and Amanda Berman, Founder, Zioness.

We will gather at WRT on Wednesday evening for solidarity, prayer, song, with our community, and will broadcast the event over livestream at wrtemple.org. All are welcome.

Teens and parents are invited to attend a pizza and salad dinner with our shinshinim (Israeli teen emissaries) from 6:30-7:00pm in the Beit Am. Please register here.

We are maintaining a vigilant security posture for tomorrow evening's event. Please do not bring any bags (briefcases, backpacks, etc). Please be patient and courteous as we take all necessary precautions to keep our community safe.

In partnership with the following organizations:

AJC
Bet Am Shalom
Community Synagogue of Rye
Congregation Kol Ami
Larchmont Temple
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El
Shaarei Tikvah
Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester
Temple Bnai Yisrael
Temple Israel of New Rochelle
Woodlands Community Temple

We stand with Israel in this war of self defense, and will continue to do all we can to lend support, strength, allyship, and the collective prayers of our congregation and the Westchester Jewish community.

This Wednesday evening, October 11th, at 7:00 PM, please join the clergy of WRT and Shachar Liran-Hanan, the senior JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) shelicha (emissary) to the Westchester Jewish community.

We will gather at WRT on Wednesday evening for solidarity, prayer, song, and discussion of the situation, and will broadcast the event over livestream at wrtemple.org. All are welcome.

The JCC of Mid-Westchester will hold a Solidarity Shabbat Dinner on Friday October 13 at 5 PM.

"Community is more important now than ever, and we invite you to join us Friday evening as we welcome Shabbat by singing songs of solidarity with Israel and enjoying a kosher deli-style Shabbat dinner.

To secure your spot, please register by the Wednesday before the event. This event is geared toward older adults.

Sponsored by Bob and Sheila Friedland and the JCCMW."

County Executive George Latimer sent the following statement:

Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff On Westchester County Properties: Statement from Westchester County Executive George Latimer

“In a solemn gesture of solidarity and remembrance, Westchester County has decided to fly flags at half-staff on County property to honor the Americans who tragically lost their lives in the recent attacks in Israel. As our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event, Westchester County stands united with our fellow Americans and our brothers and sisters in Israel during this challenging time.”

This morning, while getting ready for joyful Shabbat and Simchat Torah services at WRT, mindful of yesterday's solemn commemoration of 50 years since the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War (October 6, 1973), we learned of massive surprise attacks on sovereign Israeli soil, indiscriminately killing and kidnapping soldiers and civilians, wounding hundreds more, and capturing Israeli territory.

We condemn in the strongest terms possible these heinous, coordinated acts of terror carried out by Hamas, with the support of its allies and sponsors in Iran and beyond.

Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest offered the following:

Dear Scarsdale Community,
Over the weekend, I, like so many of you, watched in horror and shock as the violence unfolded in Israel. Today, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I reach out to unequivocally condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by Hamas, including the kidnapping and killing of innocent civilians. We stand firmly against all forms of terror, hate, and bigotry. The Village of Scarsdale stands in solidarity with the Jewish community and Israel during this tumultuous and frightening time.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have experienced loss and those with loved ones who are currently living in fear. Scarsdale is home to many residents with strong connections to this region, and we extend our prayers and support to them. In times of tragedy, we have always come together to lean on one another. That is who we are and who we must continue to be. We are also a community of compassion, tolerance, and respect.

Please know that our Village, led by the Manager’s Office and Police Department, is monitoring the situation and potential safety concerns for our area closely. Once news of the attacks became known, the Scarsdale Police Department (SPD) immediately assigned additional patrol and premise checks of all synagogues. They have also increased patrols around the schools. SPD continues to be in contact with leadership in our public schools, religious institutions, and other educational providers to ensure they have full information and that the correct resources are where they need to be. SPD also regularly coordinates and shares information with intelligence and counterterrorism partners at multiple levels of government.

Finally, we will be flying our flags at half-staff in remembrance of the American lives lost in Israel and we honor all lives lost to the unthinkable acts of terrorists.

As we navigate the days ahead, I wish everyone strength.

Yours truly,
Justin Arest Mayor