His name was Elchanan. He was a high school buddy, recalled Noach Hacker, “and he was a hero.”
When hearing of Hamas’ bloody attack on Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel last Saturday morning, Elchanan grabbed a cache of weapons and ran to the scene. “He managed to save the lives of dozens of people until he was shot and killed,” Hacker said.
Standing before an overflow audience of more than 2,000 in Beth Tfiloh Congregation’s main sanctuary Wednesday night, Oct. 10, Hacker vowed at the community’s solidarity gathering for Israel that his friend’s sacrifice would not be in vain.
“The feeling of insecurity and rage right now grips the citizens of Israel, many who are sitting in dark shelters with their children,” said the Jerusalem-born Hacker, who serves as minister of economic affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. “We are at war, and we cannot afford anything less than a clear victory. We must send a message that the moral, civilized world will prevail.
“We have no other choice but to stay strong.”
Hacker was among the speakers and presenters at the highly emotional, two-hour gathering, which brought together local clergy and members of the different branches of Judaism for an evening of song, prayer and reflections about Israel in the wake of the Hamas attack, which has left more than 1,200 Israelis dead.
Among those who spoke or performed during the program were Beth Tfiloh’s Rabbi Chai Posner, Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg of Beth Am, Rabbi Marci Jacobs of Chevrei Tzedek, Beth El’s Cantor Thom King and Cantor Ben Ellerin of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Rachel Safman of Beth Israel, Bolton Street Synagogue’s Rabbi Andy Gordon and Cantor Joel Lichterman of Chizuk Amuno.
In addition, Beth Tfloh’s Hazzan Yoni Rose, a former Israel Defense Forces “lone soldier,” chanted the Prayer for the IDF.
Among the musical selections throughout the program were “Od Yavo Shalom,” “Am Yisrael Chai,” “Oseh Shalom” and “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem.
“God is with us and our families in Israel, he’s with us in our tears and pain, and we pray that God will make sure this evil is eradicated once and for all,” Rabbi Posner said to overwhelming applause. “There is so much more that unites us than divides us, and all of us stand with Israel right now.
“This is a very painful time, and the past days feel like years,” he said. “But together we will get through this and emerge strong, because that’s what Jews do and will continue to do.”
Last Saturday was the bloodiest day in contemporary Jewish history since the Holocaust, said Hacker, noting that the Israeli population’s loss from the Hamas attack was tantamount to the deaths of more than 40,000 Americans.
“In Israel, we’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said. “This organization of animals is operating practically in our backyard. We must stand strong.”
Hacker noted that the support for Israel around the world at this time is unprecedented and gratifying. “But it might wane as time passes,” he said. “But Israel will never forget. Let us all work together so that we hear good news in the days ahead.”
In her reflection, Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi of Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation spoke passionately of her years living in Israel and why “it is so important for us to be together tonight for our Jewish homeland. Our inspiring start-up nation is experiencing unimaginable horrors right now. We have to share our grief, outrage and determination with each other.”
She called on audience members to pray for IDF soldiers as they prepare for a ground offensive into Gaza, as well as for the safe return of hostages held by Hamas. Rabbi Sabath also called on listeners to advocate for support for Israel around the world, and to help pressure Hamas to release the hostages.
In addition, she asked audience members to advocate for the creation of a safe and stable Middle East; to help rebuild Israel in the wake of the attack; and to recommit to an active Jewish life, starting with attending worship services this Shabbat at one’s particular congregation and praying for the wellbeing of Israel.
“To every decent human being, I say, `We need you right now,’” she said. “Refuse to give into despair. Israelis are showing their strength, determination and unity right now. We must do the same in Baltimore. The days ahead may be difficult, but we must stand in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people.
“All of us are vulnerable, but we share one body,” Rabbi Sabath said. “We are one family. One people, we share one life and destiny. We cannot let the forces of evil overcome us. … Out of chaos, light emerges. We must make even more light against the darkness. Together, let’s find a way.”
The solidarity gathering was presented by the Baltimore Board of Rabbis, The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, the Baltimore Jewish Council and the local synagogue community. For information about The Associated’s emergency fund for Israel, visit payments.associated.org/IsraelAttacked.
Amid tight security, more than 2,000 members of the Jewish community attended the solidarity gathering for Israel at Pikesville’s Beth Tfiloh Congregation. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Chizuk Amuno’s Rabbi Joshua Z. Gruenberg was among the organizers and attendees of the solidarity gathering. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Shown here draped in an Israeli flag is Liz Minkin Friedman with her husband, Dr. Keith Friedman. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Attendees bow their heads as Beth El Cantor Thom King chanted the “El Malei Rachamim” prayer. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg leads the audience in singing, “Am Yisrael Chai “(Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Chizuk Amuno’s Cantor Joel Lichterman sings, “Od Yavo Shalom.” (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
A cross-section of clergy and others attended Wednesday night’s community solidarity gathering for Israel. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Cantor Ben Ellerin of Baltimore Hebrew leads the audience in the singing of “Hatikvah.”(Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
More than 2,000 supporters of Israel, including non-Jewish clergy, turned out for the gathering in Beth Tfiloh’s main sanctuary. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Attendees at the gathering listen to Hazzan Yoni Rose, a former “lone soldier,” chant the Prayer for the Israel Defense Forces. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Due to the overflow attendance and security precautions, the solidarity gathering was delayed by more than a half-hour. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody)
The Baltimore Jewish Council, an agency of The Associated, is encouraging people to attend the “Stand With Israel” rally on Friday, Oct. 13 at 12:15 p.m. at Freedom Plaza, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., Northwest. The rally is being coordinated by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington and Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. For information, visit, jcouncil.org/
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