By Melissa Hunter
Assistant Editor
The community of Cincinnati came together last Tuesday, October 10, at Adath Israel Synagogue in Amberely to show their unwavering support for Israel. Around 1500 individuals attended the gathering, which was organized by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. The event featured speeches by members of the Jewish community as well as local officials, and included many prayers and moments of reflection.
Josh Blatt, Board Chair for the Federation, opened the evening with remarks about the October 7 attack on Israel. “Our enemies have disregarded the rules of war, targeting civilians, women, children, and infants,” he said in his speech. “For us here tonight, our connection to Israel is personal. It’s a core part of our Jewish identity, and this is an attack against our right to exist.” There was a moment of silence in memory of the lives lost in the attack, and Blatt warned, “While the world is with us in this moment of tragedy, history has showed that as Israel responds, public opinion will turn, and the world will forget.” He also thanked the elected officials in attendance for their support.
Speaking on behalf of the Federation, Danielle Minson, CEO, echoed Blatt’s appreciation for “the support of community members, organizational leaders, rabbis, friends inside and outside the Jewish community, elected officials too numerous to count who all reached out asking how they can assist. At this moment we all feel the love.” She explained that the role of the Federation is to mobilize for the community, and they are able to respond with an already established infrastructure. She stated the connection between Cincinnati and Israel is strong, as illustrated by many of Federation’s initiatives, including sending teens to Israel and helping family make Aliyah. She concluded with the words, “Our own gathering tonight underscores the power of community, and the power of this community.”
Listed on the screen behind the bimah (where photographs of community members in Israel were displayed as the crowd entered the synagogue) were the over 44 local organizations that sponsored the evening’s event.
Rabbi Smolkin of Adath Israel Congregation then invited his rabbinical colleagues from throughout the city to the bimah for a prayer, in both Hebrew and English, for the land and people of Israel, Israeli leaders, the hostages, and the soldiers being called to serve.
Among the local officials to speak was Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. In his address, he spoke passionately, “as the moral voice of the community…with that voice, I’m here to say one very simple thing. The entire community of Cincinnati stands with you and stands with Israel at this moment of crisis.
“At a time when antisemitism is on the rise, when anti-Jewish hate has left Jewish communities around the world fearful for their wellbeing, our hearts break for the trauma faced by our friends and neighbors as they grieve this tragedy.” Speaking of the events, he claimed they were a moral outrage and a humanitarian tragedy, and there was no justification for the terror inflicted by Hamas. “If there is one message I can leave you with tonight, it’s how incredibly proud I am that you have all stepped up to organize humanitarian relief, to make it loud and clear what our community stands for, and as we move forward from today, as we fight for peace and security, we will continue to join with those around the world in praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Israel.” His words were met with a standing ovation.
Interspersed between the live speakers were moving stories, broadcast on the screens over the bimah, by Israelis with local ties and Cincinnati residents in Israel who gave first-hand accounts of what they were experiencing.
Zahava Rendler, a local Holocaust survivor and Israeli citizen, spoke about the tragedy as well.
“This is the darkest time in our nation’s history. Over the last four days, I have found myself reliving my past. I don’t want my past to be the future of my grandchildren.
“The nazis tried to take away my identity, but Israel restored it. This was a country that wanted me, that held my hand, that gave me pride in being a Jew.” Rendler wanted the Israelis in Cincinnati to know that the community stands in solidarity with them, and that in this darkness, there is hope to be found. Tomorrow the sun will shine again on my home, our home, the great state of Israel.”
Rendler’s speech was followed by the recitation of Tears and Rain: A Prayer for Success in War by American Israeli poet, writer, and educator Alden Solovy.
Bobby Fisher, a volunteer for the Jewish Federation, spoke about the enormity of this ongoing tragedy and how so many are feeling simultaneously “enraged and helpless.” In the face of such catastrophic destruction, Fisher directed those looking to help to the Swords of Iron Emergency Fund, which sends 100% of monies raised to humanitarian aide in Israel.
The evening concluded with a final prayer and the entire room stood to sing “Oseh Shalom.” Yarden Neeman, Cincinnati’s newest Shaliach and Israeli emissary, closed with the words “We are one, and that one will never be broken. I am here with you to deliver one message of hope and perseverance. We are most strong when we are united. Our people will prevail.” He then invited his colleagues and all Israelis in attendance to the bimah to sing Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem.
