Jewish community, region’s leaders react to attacks on Israel
Associated Press
Mourners react during the funeral of Israeli soldier Benjamin Loeb, a dual Israeli-French citizen, in Jerusalem, Tuesday. Loeb was killed on Saturday as the militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel.
Associated Press
Destroyed cars are seen at the rave party site near the Kibbutz Re’im, close to the Gaza Strip border fence, on Tuesday. Israel’s rescue service Zaka said paramedics had recovered at least 260 bodies of people killed in a surprise attack by Hamas militants Saturday.
Associated Press
Israelis take cover in a shelter as a siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets fired from the Gaza strip, in Ashkelon, Israel, Tuesday. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel Saturday, killing over 900 people and taking captives. Israel launched heavy retaliatory airstrikes on the enclave, killing hundreds of Palestinians.
Associated Press
Israeli soldiers carry a body of a person killed in a Hamas attack in kibbutz Kfar Azza on Tuesday. Hamas militants overran Kfar Azza on Saturday, where many Israelis were killed and taken captive.
As fighting continues in Israel after Saturday’s surprise attacks by Hamas militants, members of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Jewish community are shaken and grieving.
Early Tuesday morning, Rabbi Alex Greenbaum, rabbi of Beth El Congregation of the South Hills, received confirmation that a friend of his son’s was among the more than 260 young people killed at an open-air music festival about 3 miles from the wall that separates Gaza from southern Israel.
The young woman, in her early 20s, worked with Greenbaum’s son at a summer camp in New York, where she lived.
“I go from sadness to rage. We all know someone or know of someone (in Israel) who’s been affected by this. The world became much smaller for us on Saturday,” said Greenbaum. “This is a terrorist attack. There is no ‘other side.’ This is murder.”
The Beth El congregation is offering trauma support for the congregation, and Greenbaum has reached out to members who have relatives in Israel.
He also has been working with the family of a local high school student who was in Israel studying abroad for a semester to help the teen return to the United States.
Most flights in and out of Israel have been canceled, and the teen remains stranded in the country.
The militant group invaded parts of Israel by land, sea and air on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah in a series of attacks that so far have left more than 900 dead and more than 2,000 injured.
Militants also captured at least 100 Israeli citizens, including women, children and the elderly.
The terrorist organization used guns, grenades, bomb-dropping drones, and rockets in the ambush.
“What’s happened is absolutely horrible and horrific, and just so uncivilized. It’s so hard to believe things like this happen in the 21st century,” said Washington County Judge Gary Gilman, President of the Beth Israel Congregation in Washington.
David Posner, a longtime member of Beth Israel and former president and current treasurer of the congregation, said he is “in shock and devastated by what has happened over there.”
Said Marilyn Posner, a past president, current secretary of the board and chairperson of the legacy committee at the Synagogue, “I don’t think there are any Jews that don’t have family or friends or know of someone, or at least feels close to Israel right now.”
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh issued a statement calling for peace, and announced an interfaith prayer service at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland to commemorate the Tree of Life Massacre and to show solidarity between people of all faiths in the Pittsburgh region, “particularly our Jewish sisters and brothers who face rising anti-Semitism.”
Said Bishop David Zubik, “The news emerging from Israel and Gaza is grievous. Saturday’s surprise attacks targeting civilians in Israel too closely echo the violence in Pittsburgh five years ago, when worshippers were killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Joining my voice to the prayers of all believers in this region of Southwestern Pennsylvania, I implore all leaders involved to seek ways to diminish the conflict and to pursue justice and peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Zubik and Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Congregation will be joined with other faith leaders in prayers “for an end to violence and an increase in understanding and compassion.”
Temple Emanuel of South Hills will hold an interfaith vigil at its Stand With Us event at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at 1250 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, with keynote speaker Dimas Guiaco.
In the meantime, the Jewish Federation of North America announced that different federations within the U.S. will be rallying in support of Israel in the coming days.
Greenbaum said the Jewish community is knitting together support in the area in the face of the attacks, and many – including retired doctors – have expressed interest in heading to Israel to help. Teachers have volunteered to teach Hebrew classes online for children who are not currently attending school.
Greenbaum said he has barely slept, and he is watching news reports constantly.
“It’s such a helpless feeling. We know thoughts and prayers are not enough, and we all want to help. We just don’t know what to do,” he said. “Many of us are afraid that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
Said David Posner, “We are going to pray for the safety and security of the state of Israel. We do that every week; we will just pray harder.”
Much of the world has responded with support for Israel following the attacks.
“I’m happy to see that most of the world seems to have condemned what is going on,” said Gilman. “People can be frustrated about their living circumstances and have political perspectives, but this is not how you respond, regardless of the circumstances.”
Many in the Jewish community are calling the attacks 9/11 for the Israelis.
“The last time we saw something like this was 1973, 50 years ago,” said Gilman.
Saturday’s infiltration came on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 War, which saw Israel’s Arab neighbors, led by Egypt and Syria, launch a surprise attack that lasted for three weeks.
“I hope that cooler heads will prevail and bring this to an end and find a resolution,” said Gilman. “But who knows where this ends.”
The Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh also issued a statement.
“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community, we at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh unequivocally condemn this terrorist attack. As a community all too familiar with terrorism, our hearts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones, those who were the victims of terrorism, and the nearly 10 million people facing unprovoked, violent attacks by sea, air and land,” the federation said in a news release. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and express our unwavering support for their right to defend themselves against these heinous attacks. We call on all people in the international community to condemn the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians and Hamas’ use of human shields.”
The Jewish Federation is accepting donations online at jewishpgh.org.