WORCESTER—Though Israel and the Gaza strip is half a world away, to local Jews, the war between their Promised Land and Hamas feels personal.
“For most Jews, Israel is always on our minds and in our hearts,” Rabbi Yakov Blotner of Shaarai Torah West said. “We believe it to be the biblical and everlasting home land that God gave to the Jewish people. When things are of concern there, let alone the terrible atrocities, it of course weighs heavily on us.”
The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, on Oct. 7 launched an unexpected attack on southern Israel, which the Council on Foreign Affairs calls the “the single deadliest attack on Israelis in history.” The assault was estimated to have killed approximately 1,200 citizens, around 70 percent of whom were civilians.
Israel subsequently declared war, cutting off electricity, water, and other necessities to the region. The situation has become a “catastrophe,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, and the Gaza health ministry has reported more than 11,000 casualties.
“I think this time around there’s the added tragedy of there being hostages, which affects all of us,” Rabbi Blotnick said. “Among the hostages are people of various faiths and nationalities. It’s not just Jewish Israels.”
Blotnick said nearly everyone in his synagogue has family or friends in Israel.
“I myself have a granddaughter attending college in Israel,” he said. “So far, they’ve been away from most of the trouble and missiles, but it’s not far. It’s a small country. … But she is staying. She will see it through.”
It may be difficult to know how to help from so far away, but Blotner said beginning with an act of kindness is a good start.
“Any kind of charity, according to Jewish traditions, brings many blessings,” Rabbi Blotner said. This is especially true, he said, of charities involved with Israel in particular, helping families who have suffered losses in the initial attack.
While Shaari Torah West isn’t sponsoring a particular charity, it is encouraging those who can to contribute where they feel best.
Jewish Federation of Central Mass has an option on its Web site to support Operation Iron Swords. This effort, through the Jewish Agency for Israel, provides immediate financial help to victims and families, help with protecting the more vulnerable citizens, and assist with rehabilitation of areas damaged by war.
The Central Mass. Chabad quotes The Rebbe, Rabbi Manachem M. Schneerson, on its Web site, saying that The Rebbe highlighted “taking up arms” in times of crisis. This refers not only to literal weaponry, but also as a call to actions to reinforce and rely on faith and resolve, and always support Israel. Contributions to assist victims and soldiers can be made via the Chabad Victims of Terror fund.
“We can also add on prayers, and charity,” Blotnick said. “We are encouraging our congregation and friends and neighbors to be more active and vigilant in their observances.”
To that end, Central Mass Chabad is hosting daily tefillin gatherings, at 8 a.m. at Central Mass Chabad, 22 Newton Ave., Worcester. Jewish men and boys are encouraged to attend. In addition, women and girls are asked to continue lighting Shabbat candles.
Blotnick said he believes acting in a brotherly manner toward all others, and increasing acts of kindness and charity can have a ripple effect.
“We believe the more goodness there is in the world, done by any and all, makes the world a better place,” he said. “It can hopefully be contagious.
“A lot of people, particularly not of the Jewish faith, stop me and offer condolences,” he added. “They say they’re sorry about what’s going on, and they want me to know they are thinking of us, which I think is a beautiful thing.”
As the United States works with Israel and Hamas to pause the conflict and free women and children hostages, Blotnick said he is cautiously optimistic that Israel will wipe out the Hamas threat.
“There were protests done by violent people and vandals calling for a cease fire, and the Prime Minister of Israel summed it up best,” he said. “Following Pearl Harbor and 9-11, would America have agreed to a cease fire?”
Christine M. Quirk is the former editor of Mothertown and has written for the Telegram & Gazette, Bay State Parent, and the Times & Courier. She is a novelist and an educator at Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public Elementary School in Worcester. She can be reached at cmqwriter@gmail.com
