Speakers express support for Israelis

At a rally July 23 in the social hall of the Dwares JCC, more than 400 community members gathered to express their solidarity with the people of Israel. They heard remarks by Rhode Islanders and Israelis, including Ronit Nudelman-Perl, consul of Israel in New England. And there were suggestions made on how the community can help support the people of Israel. 

The Israel consul expressed her gratitude for gatherings like the one in Providence. “Israelis are surprised by the support,” she said. “This gathering is unbelievably impressive. It gives us strength beyond measure. We hope you will continue. The battle is also being fought in the arena of public opinion.”

Jeffrey Savit, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, offered the following words.

“Tonight, with great pride, I stand with you – the Rhode Island Jewish community – in solidarity with the people of Israel. We stand together to support Israel’s right to defend her citizens – enabling them to live with safety and protection, without fear of terrorism. And this goes for all of our children, parents, friends and loved ones who are currently in Israel.  No nation should endure nonstop, indiscriminate rocket fire and deadly tunnel assaults. 

“And as Rabbi Menachim Creditor so brilliantly wrote in this past Monday’s Huffington Post, neither he, nor any of us, need to apologize for Israel.  

“We must also recognize the utter tragedy of all the innocent victims of Hamas terrorism, whether Jewish or Palestinian.  A ceasefire must emerge, and I pray that peace and stability come immediately, without any further bloodshed and death. Long-term solutions for peaceful co-existence must also quickly emerge, if stability is to be restored and maintained. 

“In Israel, the Hebrew word az’aka, which means warning or alarm, is all-too prevalent. As I quote from a headline from Haaretz earlier this week, ‘once it was the wail of Mordecai discovering that Haman meant to kill all the Jews.  Now it’s the siren warning of a Hamas rocket.’ My friends, the sirens must stop! In conjunction with the Jewish Federations of North America, the Alliance has launched an emergency campaign for humanitarian relief. 

“… I am overwhelmed by your generosity and assistance for our brothers and sisters in Israel. 100 percent of our dollars raised in the Stop the Sirens Campaign are being used to provide medical care, expanded trauma support, and flexible assistance for 13 Israeli municipalities hit hardest by the conflict.  Our dollars are feeding the elderly and the nation’s most vulnerable, providing them with necessary medicines, transportation, and emotional support. We are helping to place children from the south in safe spaces, out of harm’s way and are providing food and activities for those that remain in shelters. At the conclusion of our Rally in about five minutes, please consider donating to our Stop the Sirens effort, and let’s double our existing numbers!!! You could do so via the Alliance website, your smartphone by scanning your program bar code, by personal check, or by swiping your credit cards at our designated table before you exit the facility.

“Financial and emotional support, pledges and solidarity rallies, prayers for peace and unified support amongst diverse thinking Jewish community members. ... This is what American Jewry and our Rhode Island Jewish community does well. I thank and applaud each of you.

“I want to conclude by sharing an email written yesterday to Larry Katz by our incoming Israeli emissary, Gilor Meshulam.  Gilor wrote:  I wanted to update you that I was called for active duty and to give my share in the war effort.  I know that we will achieve our goals soon and take another step towards peace for the people of Israel and the people of Gaza. ... I hope all is well with you during these troubled times for the Jewish people. With a prayer for our soldiers, fighting for a better future, Gilor.

“As you serve in Gaza, God bless you, Gilor, and all your fellow countrymen.  We support you all from the bottom of our hearts, and join you in hope for a better, peaceful future.”