Her name is Ella Elyakim, and Rabbi Yisrael Motzen pleaded with attendees of the rally for Israel on Oct. 29 in front of Baltimore’s Penn Station to keep the 8-year-old Israeli in their thoughts and prayers.
On Oct. 7, Ella was abducted by Hamas terrorists while visiting her father at Nahal Oz, a kibbutz near the Gaza border.
“Ella is all alone, without her parents or family, scared, with men around her speaking a language she doesn’t understand,” said Rabbi Motzen, of Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Synagogue. “We ask that every decent human being demand that Ella and all of the hostages be returned to their homes and families. We ask [God], ‘Please bring your children home, bring them out of the darkness and despair, and please return them to their families’ embrace.’”
More than 750 people attended the two-hour rally, at which 28 local organizations represented a wide cross-section of American Jewry.
The gathering’s participating organizations include Adat Chaim, AIPAC, Atlantic Seaboard NCSY, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Baltimore Israel Coalition, Baltimore Jewish Council, Baltimore Zionist District, Beth El, Beth Tfiloh, Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion, B’nai Israel, Chizuk Amuno, Darchei Noam Montesorri, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Bonds, Jeewish National Fund USA, Laniado Development Fund, Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah, Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley, Netivot Shalom, Ohr Chadash, Ohr Hachaim, Pikesville Jewish Congregation, Shomrei Emunah, Suburban Orthodox Toras Chaim, Tiferes Yisroel and WZO We Serve.
“It is so powerful to be here today — as an Israeli, as a mother and as a rabbi,” said Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom’s Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachami before leading the prayer for the State of Israel. “As a newcomer to this community, I’ve wondered, where are we as a Jewish community? And here we all are — together.”
Rabbi Shmuel Silber of Suburban Orthodox Toras Chaim Congregation echoed that sentiment.
“It shouldn’t take a tragedy or hostages to unite us,” he said. “We should always be able to collaborate together. We shouldn’t retreat to our corners and exclude the other.
“Do you feel the achdus [unity] today?” he said to rounds of cheers. “What brought us here is tragedy, but we must pledge not to allow the unity to dissipate. We must always be united, as one nation.”
Despite the tragic nature of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel and the war in Gaza – as well as the pervasive anti-Israel sentiments voiced around the world – the mood at the rally was often jubilant and determined. Attendees sang such songs as “Am Yisrael Chai,” “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem, with a great deal of fervor and emotion.
Some children and canines were draped in Israeli flags, while adults marched around the plaza with signs calling for the release of hostages, advocating that “Jewish Lives Matter” and proclaiming solidarity with Israel.
“We are here today in the heart of this great city, with people of all different religious denominations and viewpoints, to speak with one voice,” said Jay Bernstein, the rally’s organizer and head of Ner Tamid’s Israel committee. “We support the right of Israel to defend itself, and what happened on Oct. 7 should never happen again – to Israel or any other country. Israel is not fighting a war of revenge but destroying a threat to Israel, the Jewish people and all the world.”
Bernstein denounced universities and colleges that allow antisemitic rhetoric to thrive, as well as “moral relativists,” academics and journalists who equate Hamas terrorism with Israeli self-defense.
“Israel will survive this moment of crisis,” he said. “Israel will remain what it’s always been – a safe haven to the persecuted and a moral beacon for the world.”
During his remarks, Rabbi Yerachmiel Shapiro of Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Congregation led the crowd in enthusiastic chants in support of Israel, the United States, the Baltimore Police Department (for providing tight security at the rally) and the Biden administration (for its unwavering support of Israel during this crisis).
“Look around, this is a holy place,” he said. “We stand for our brothers and sisters in Israel. Years from now, we will remember this dark time and how we stood up for Israel.
“You can learn everything from sports,” Rabbi Shapiro said. “Just like the Ravens, Israel never gives up. And we will never give up, either. … We all want peace, but Hamas has to go!”
While no disruptions occurred during the rally, one motorist, while driving toward the station’s underground parking garage, lowered her window and yelled at attendees, “You f—ing murderers!” There was also reportedly at least one protester standing outside of the train station compound.
But most passengers and cabbies at Penn Station seemed either nonplussed or mildly intrigued by the rally.
“I was just meeting a friend. I wasn’t expecting this, I’m not from Baltimore,” said Trish Harris, a resident of Washington, D.C. “But everyone has a right to give their opinion. This is America.”
An employee for the Dunkin Donuts shop inside the station said she strongly supported the rally.
“They’re here for the 1,400 people who died in Israel,” she said. “I think that’s really good. They’re paying their respects. It’s wonderful.”
Among the elected officials who attended the rally were Maryland State Senate President Bill Ferguson; Delegates Dalya Attar and Sandy Rosenberg; Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby; Baltimore City Councilmen Zeke Cohen and Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer; Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka; and former Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Among the spiritual leaders in attendance were Rabbi Chai Posner and Rabbi Dr. Eli Yoggev of Beth Tfiloh, Rabbi Menachem Goldberger of Tiferes Yisroel, Cantor Joel Lichterman of Chizuk Amuno and Rabbi Etan Mintz of B’nai Israel Congregation, as well as Baltimore Jewish Council Executive Director Howard Libit. Leading the crowd in songs were Cantor Yoni Rose, Eli Cohen and the A.K.A. Pella choir.
In his talk, Schleifer invoked a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”
“We’re confused by how anyone can justify such evil,” Schleifer said of supporters and apologists of Hamas. “We thought never again meant never again. … We all want peace in the Middle East. But today is a time for justice, and that will not be served until every member of the Hamas terrorism organization is eliminated.”
Rabbi Silber called on American Jews to “make sure our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael know we stand shoulder to shoulder with them. This is a war of good versus evil, and we have the privilege to be the tip of the spear in the battle against Israel. We are a light unto the nations. When evil knocks down your door, you take the fight back to them. That type of evil has no place in the community of mankind.”
Caren Leven, president of the Baltimore Zionist District, said Jews can no longer afford to be circumspect, polite or cautious when it comes to supporting Israel.
“We need to step up,” she said. “If you were a silent Jew before Oct. 7, that’s not acceptable anymore. You need to rise to the occasion now!“
While there were other ways for her to spend a tranquil Sunday afternoon, Owings Mills resident Helen Turner said she was glad she ignored the safety warnings from her loved ones and decided to attend the Penn Station rally.
“I don’t feel this is just about Israel, but also about the Jewish people and antisemitism,” said Turner, a Beth Tfiloh congregant. “If we don’t show up, there’s going to be even more tragedy. I’m here and I’m not disappointed. There was nothing more important than for me to be here today.”
Michael, 2, waves an Israeli flag at passersby while dancing with his sabra mom. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Sisters Kayla and Lily Rosenbloom share their message of support for Israel with a close friend. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Among the hundreds of rally attendees were Minnie (left) and Carmi. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen (middle, holding up Israeli flag) and former mayor (and current mayoral candidate) Sheila Dixon (in baseball cap, holding “We Stand With Israel” sign). (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
A pair of attendees FaceTime with friends and family during the rally. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
An Israel supporter holds up a sign with a photo of Kfir Bibas, a nine-month-old hostage abducted by Hamas terrorists with his four-year-old brother, Ariel. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson: “What happened on Oct. 7 was nothing short of barbarism. Peace will not be possible until Hamas is eradicated.” (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Seven buses full of Israel supporters came to the rally from Beth Tfiloh, Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah and Ner Tamid synagogues. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
A pair of young attendees from Beth Tfiloh and the Yeshiva of Greater Washington find themselves swept up in the ruach of the Israel rally at Penn Station. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody) 
Israelis Noa, Rohi and Matan come together at the rally to demonstrate their love of their homeland. (Photo by Robyn Stevens Brody)
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