Chabad UF will hold a Stand with Israel Solidarity and Unity event on Sunday morning.
The event, which comes in the wake of the terror attack on Israel, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the Chabad UF Jewish Student & Community Center (2021 NW 5th Ave.) in Gainesville.
Students and the community are invited to join together in prayer, study and charity in the merit of peace, safety and security in Israel.
There is no charge to attend the event, but an RSVP is required at www.JewishGator.com/IsraelUnity.
“The barbarism and sheer magnitude of the death, torture and kidnapping of Jews amongst them babies, women and elderly is shocking,” said Rabbi Berl Goldman, director of the Chabad UF’s Center and organizer of the event, in a press release. “We stand firm with our brothers and sisters in Israel and extend our heartfelt prayers and support to those mourning their loved ones and for those held in captivity.”
The rally will feature prayers in memory of those who perished, the safe return of the hostages, for the healing of the injured, and the success of the Israel Defense Forces IDF who are securing the safety of Israel.
Donations for those affected in Israel can be made online at the Israel Emergency Relief Fund.
“We must remember that by illuminating our own corner of the world with acts of goodness and kindness, we can impact events on the other side of the world,” said Chanie Goldman co-director of Chabad UF.
History is full of tragedies. There’s no escaping the fact that people fled persecution in Europe to establish Israel both before and after the Ottoman Empire collapsed. Americans and our ancestors can certainly relate to that. There’s no excuse for what Hamas did, even if the Gaza people elected them in power. Politicians mixing in religion is dangerous, too.