Rally for Israel to be Held this Sunday Afternoon at Penn Station

October 24, 2023 JMORE Staff

All Aboard: Located at 1515 N. Charles Street, Baltimore's Penn Station was built in 1911 and is one of the nation's busiest passenger rail hubs. (File photo)

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Baltimore has hosted several gatherings in support of the Jewish state, drawing thousands of people to synagogues to show their solidarity in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.

At noon this Sunday, Oct. 29, a consortium of more than 20 Jewish organizations, representing a wide cross-section of American Jewry, will hold a rally for Israel at one of Charm City’s most iconic and well-traveled sites — Penn Station, at 1515 N. Charles Street in Baltimore’s Charles North area.

The rally will be held on the plaza outside of the historic train station’s front entrance, where Jewish artist Jonathan Borofsky’s “Male/Female” stainless steel sculpture is located.

Penn Station is the nation’s eighth busiest rail station, drawing more than three million Amtrak and MARC passengers annually.

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.

“Ever since the unprovoked attack on our brothers and sisters in Israel, there have been numerous actions, rallies and marches in downtown Baltimore, supporting the Palestinians and condemning Israel in the most radical terms,” said MMAE’s Rabbi Yerachmiel Shapiro. “Rallying in Pikesville is fine to create our own momentum and solidarity, but we can’t let the city become a place filled week after week with anti-Israel rhetoric. This pro-Israel, solidarity rally is about taking back the city and making sure it’s safe for pro-Israel advocates to be activists in the real street.”

Jay Bernstein, a rally organizer and head of Ner Tamid’s Israel committee, said the gathering will be “organic,” most likely without the typical speeches and fanfare at similar events. Attendees are encouraged to bring American and Israeli flags, as well as posters and signs advocating for the release of all hostages and the right for Israel to defend itself. (Attendees and others are also encouraged to contribute to The Associated’s Israel emergency fund.)

“We just want to have a rally outside of the Jewish community and address the broader community,” said Bernstein. “[Penn Station] is a good public spot. We want to invite everybody to come and put aside all of our differences to show our support for Israel.”

Buses bound for the Penn Station rally will leave at 11:30 a.m. from the parking lots at MMAE at 7000 Rockland Hills Drive and Ner Tamid at 6214 Pimlico Road.

For information about bus transportation, call Ner Tamid at 410-358-6500 or MMAE at 410-653-7485. For information about the rally, email baltimorerallyforisrael@gmail.com.