A Moving Ceremony in Support of Israel

Though most of us feel powerless in light of the horrific events that occurred in Israel last weekend, local clergy brought the community together to show us that we are not alone in our grief and to suggest how we can help to support Israel.

On Wednesday night October 11, ten local synagogues, representatives from Jewish organizations, Christian clergymen and political leaders joined together for a Vigil for Israel at Westchester Reform Temple. The event drew an overflow crowd to the synagogue. Traffic was backed up for miles on Mamaroneck Road and every seat inside the temple was filled. The audience included Scarsdale’s school superintendents and representatives of the Board of Education along with Scarsdale’s Mayor and several trustees.

Participants included:

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 B’nai Yisrael
Temple Israel of New Rochelle
Westchester Reform Temple
Woodlands Community Temple

Rabbi Jonathan Blake of Westchester Reform Temple opened the ceremony saying “We are united in our broken hearts …the hearts of people who love and care about humanity, care about Israel, who care about Jewish people, who care about decency…..”

Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest said, “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.”

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “We have an obligation as Americans to do the hard thing, which is to stand up for Israel, regardless of our faith.”

Shachar Liran-Hanan, the senior emissary from the Jewish Agency for Israel to the Westchester Jewish community shared her personal story of fear and loss. A native of Israel she told stories of terrorists going door to door slaughtering residents and burning homes with families locked inside. She said that her brother, who has a wife and three children has been called to duty. And said, “In Israel, every mother who has a son knows that one day she will have to send him to fight.” She wondered how people can live if they don’t feel safe in their own homes and thanked the U.S. community for supporting Israel.

Zioness Amanda Berman gave a rousing call to action, encouraging the audience to “show your solidarity … you have a role to play.” To those who question Zionism she says, “The response to anti-Zionism is more Zionism,” and she told the audience that those outside of Israel are needed to support Israel all over the world.

County Executive George Latimer said, “I stand with you,” and spoke of the right to religious freedom.

Rabbi Lester Bronstein of Bet Am Shalom read a prayer and said, “Let us send rescue and redemption to those held captive by the enemy,” and prayed to “implant understanding in the heart of the enemy.”

Former Congressman Mondaire Jones said he was “devastated by the heinous attacks,” and said “As a Black American I stand in solidarity with the Jewish people here and in Israel.” He remembered a 2021 trip to Israel calling it the most “educational trip of his life.” He said, “America has a role to play in supporting Israel and called for the “end of chaos in Congress.”

Reverend Kelly Rogers of Scarsdale Congregational Church said, “You are not alone.” She said, the Jewish people “are continually in a state of remembrance,” and said, “the commitment to Tikun Olam is all our work. Let us go in peace and make peace.”

The evening was punctuated by moving musical performances by nine cantors from local synagogues. At the conclusion of the service he audience joined to sing:

Oseh shalom bimromav
hu ya’she shalom alienu,
Ve’al kol Yisrael,
Ve’imru, imru Amen,

Which means:

One thing above all: That for Israel, for the Jewish people, and for the world, that there should be peace.