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Dear Maharat Rori,
Words feel insufficient as we emerge from our holiday season to news of one of the most horrific and deadly attacks in recent Israeli history. Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented incursion into Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the country’s borders, and murdering at least 800 Israelis, as well as injuring thousands more. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have claimed to have taken captive more than 130 people from inside Israel and brought them into Gaza. The Israeli government formally declared war.
Our St Louis Jewish community joins together with our Jewish community across the world in mourning for the lives lost and praying for the healing of those injured, the safe return of all those captured, and the security of Israel and all those defending her. We at the Jewish Community Relations Council are heartened by all of our interfaith and community partners who have reached out to express support and solidarity and to join their prayers with our own.
Here in St. Louis, we will be gathering to show our support for our siblings in Israel and for all those in our community grieving and suffering from this violent conflict:
Wednesday, October 11
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Jewish Community Center - Creve Coeur,
2 Millstone Campus Drive, 63146
The Federation opened an Israel Emergency Fund to provide services, support, and hope for our friends and family in Israel. Now, more than ever, they need our support. Please donate here.
Our JCRC will share resources and provide updates as they become available, and we will provide opportunities to learn more of what is happening and how you can add other support in the coming days.
As we return from the vulnerability of our Sukkot to our homes, we continue to recite with even more fervor the prayer for the State of Israel:
הָגֵן עָלֶיהָ בְּאֶבְרַת חַסְדֶּךָ, וּפְרֹשׁ עָלֶיהָ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶךָ
Shield her beneath the wings of your lovingkindness;
Spread over her your Sukkah of peace.
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