Photos by Robyn Stevens Brody
Only a week after 12 people — including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor — were injured in a firebombing attack at a pro-Israel gathering in Boulder, Colorado, approximately 400 members of Baltimore’s Jewish community turned out Sunday, June 8, to demonstrate their solidarity with the hostages still held in Gaza.
Like its counterpart in Boulder, the Baltimore group is part of the international “Run 4 Their Lives” campaign.
The 1-kilomoter walk — which was started in early 2024 — usually attracts approximately 40 walkers each Sunday morning to the campus of Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation, at 7310 Park Heights Avenue.
But this week, the goal of the walk was particularly significant and meaningful, said organizers.
“The Jewish community is not going to be cowardly and not going to be frightened into silence,” Jay Bernstein, a local Israel activist and co-organizer of “Baltimore Walks for the Hostages,” told a local media outlet. “I think the events in Boulder, the attack that occurred this week, reinforced the community’s determination to make a statement.”
Police vehicles and other security personnel were constantly visible as walkers marched down Park Heights Avenue to Slade Avenue to Reisterstown Road, turned onto Seven Mile Lane and returned to HSOSC’s parking lot. Motorists frequently honked at walkers in support and offered thumbs-up gestures.
“This morning’s march was another powerful reminder that we are not giving up on the hostages still held in Gaza,” The Associated posted in a statement on social media. “We walked side by side with neighbors, friends, elected officials, law enforcement and members of the Baltimore Jewish Council. Bring the Hostages Home.”
Among those in attendance were HSOSC’s Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachami, Rabbi Chai Posner and Rabbi Dr. Eli Yoggev of Beth Tfiloh Congregation, Associated President and CEO Andrew Cushnir, Baltimore Jewish Council Executive Director Howard Libit, Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, president of the Baltimore Board of Rabbis, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation’s Rabbi Andrew Busch, and Baltimore County Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. (D-4tth).
Organizers say the weekly community walks will continue, rain or shine, until all of the hostages are returned home.
For information, visit run4lives.org or chat.whatsapp.com/GS1Zb68kRu7B4J1CDEzXre.
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