By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer

More than 300 people representing 19 Miami Valley synagogues and Jewish organizations came together for a community Israel Solidarity Rally on Jan. 7 at Temple Israel. The event was coordinated by the Jewish Federation.

The rally’s message, according to Jewish Federation President-Elect Dr. Gary Youra: “We stand with Israel, a model of democracy in the Middle East.”

Youra said that the goal of the Israeli military operation in Gaza was to create conditions that will prevent Hamas terrorists from continuing to rain rockets down on cities in southern Israel.

“The fundamental responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens from external attacks and threats,” Youra said.

“Since Hamas uses civilians in Gaza as human shields in their terrorist warfare,” he added, “innocent people have and will continue to lose their lives. We deeply mourn these loses.”

On behalf of the Montgomery County Commission, Commissioner Dan Foley said that “all of us mourn the loss of innocent life on both sides of the conflict. But we must keep in mind that peace cannot result from daily barrages of rocket and mortar fire from Hamas-controlled Gaza.”

“I believe it is in everybody’s interest, particularly the innocent lives at risk on both sides of the border,” Foley said, “that Hamas end its aggression, recognize its neighbor’s right to exist, and work toward mutual peace and security.”

After prayers from rabbis representing Dayton’s synagogues and Chabad, Federation Board Member Angela Frydman urged those in attendance to take part in helping Israel.

Hillel Academy eighth-graders distribute names of Israeli soldiers to participants at the Jan. 7 Israel Solidarity Rally at Temple Israel

In addition to asking people to contact legislators, the president and newspapers to show support, she spoke of the power of prayer.

“There is an ancient Jewish tradition, dating back to the time of Moses,” Frydman said, “in which the Jewish people were asked to pray for specific soldiers during times of war. This practice was continued by King David and continues today here in Dayton, Ohio, thanks to the students of Hillel Academy.”

Following the rally, Hillel students distributed names of Israeli soldiers to participants, urging them to pray for their safety.

Josh Zwelling, director of Judaic studies at Hillel Academy, said the day school students have also incorporated this ritual into their morning exercises.

“Before the Hatikvah (the Israeli national anthem), after the Star-Spangled Banner, we offer a prayer for the welfare of the state of Israel, for the government, and then we offer a prayer for the Israeli soldiers,” Zwelling said.

“Sixth- and eighth-graders each have a specific soldier’s name, and the first, third, fourth and fifth grades each have one soldier that their class says tehillim (Psalms) for and they designate that all of their Judaic learning that takes place during that day goes to the merit of these soldiers,” Zwelling added.

He said that more than 50,000 people across the United States participate in this prayer program, established by the National Council of Young Israel.

“Our kids can raise funds,” Zwelling said, “but this is their special connection.”

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