ST. GEORGE — In the Jewish faith, there is a prayer in Hebrew called the “mi sheberach.” In simple English, it is a request of unity and strength from many for God to grant healing to others.
On Wednesday night, people from several faiths and creeds are expected to gather at Town Square Park in St. George in a show of solidarity with the people of Israel.
Militants from Hamas, the ruling government in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, launched a surprise invasion Saturday into Israel that in one day resulted in the death of more than 825 civilians there, including 260 mostly young Israelis at a music festival.
Among them was Utahn Lotan Abir, age 24, prompting Sen. Mitt Romney to release the following statement Tuesday: “The horrific, inhumane and depraved terrorist acts perpetrated by Hamas against Israelis have touched everyone around the world. Today, news of the loss of one of our own from Utah further tears at our collective heart. I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lotan Abir—may he rest in peace.”
Organizers say the St. George event starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday is not designed to be a solemn remembrance as much as a show of strength and unity to “battle evil.” Political leaders from Washington, Iron and Kane counties, ministers from several faiths and people of all backgrounds are expected to attend the rally.
“This was the most devastating attack on Jews just because of being Jewish since the Holocaust,” said Rabbi Mendy Cohen, director of the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Southern Utah, which is organizing the event with the city of St. George. “This is very clear. This is good against evil, and we have to fight for the good and for the positive and eradicate the evil together. Jews and non-Jew alike, we’ve got to fight it as a united front.”
Cohen said he hopes people bring American and Israeli flags as well as positive feelings of strength and unity. He said the concept draws from the idea of mass prayer, thought and support as being a positive counter-attack of the physical weapons of bullets, blades and bombs thrown at the people of Israel by Hamas. He said Wednesday night is not a vigil but a rally.
“In the same way that evil is so strong, we have to come back with kindness and with prayer at that level,” Cohen said. “In order to combat darkness, the way to get rid of darkness is by bringing light and prayer and hope and peace and unity.”
It is now the fourth day of a war declared against Hamas by the Jewish state after the attempted invasion. Hamas says it launched the attack because of what it says have been the seizures of land, restrictions on movement and a blockade around Gaza, according to The Associated Press. However, several nations – including the United States – regard Hamas as a terrorist organization and have condemned actions documented by reporters such as the targeting of children and the elderly and the taking of hundreds of hostages that include Americans.
U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his support of Israel Tuesday and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has also already expressed unity with Israel by ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in the state.
The president also addressed reports of increasing anti-semitism nationwide, including bomb threats to Jewish congregations in Northern Utah.
“This is a moment for the United States to come together, to grieve with those who are mourning,” Biden said Tuesday from the White House. “Let’s be real clear. There is no place for hate in America. Not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anybody. What we reject is terrorism. We condemn the indiscriminate evil just as we’ve always done. That’s what America stands for.”
Both Cohen and Rabbi Helene Ainbinder, with the Beit Chaverim Jewish Community of Greater Zion based in Ivins, said their congregations have not received threats like those reported further up Interstate 15. To the contrary, Cohen says he has heard nothing but support and six words: What can we do to help?
“Thank God, we have been safe. We have not been getting threatening emails or anything of the sort,” Cohen said. “There are a lot of times people try to capitalize on what’s going on. But thank God we have gotten a lot of support.”
Ainbinder said in an e-mail with St. George News that the pain of Israel is being felt by Jews in Southern Utah.
“The diaspora Jews mourn with their brethren from afar with breaking hearts,” Ainbinder said. “Not since the Holocaust has the Jewish people had this large number of innocent children, women, elderly been slaughtered horrifically. The world should not remain silent.”
Cohen said he was off the grid himself when the invasion took place. The attack coincided with Simchat Torah – a time of celebration that marks the end of the high holy days that include Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. While at a synagogue Saturday, Cohen and his congregation began to hear what had happened in Israel. The celebration and dancing turned to a solemn singing of the Ani Ma’amin, which is a rendition of the pillars of the Jewish faith.
“It’s a very powerful song, and we’re all hands around the shoulders and we’re singing it. And everybody was emotional in the synagogue together,” Cohen said. “But after we realized that although it may be hard, by us being victim to that, that’s what the evil wants. They want us to feel dispirited. They want us to feel hopeless, they want us to be scared.”
Which is why, Cohen reiterates, Wednesday night at Town Square isn’t a vigil.
“They want us to bunker down and to give into that. But that just makes us even stronger and gives us the ability to go more and to do more. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s difficult. Yes, it’s painful, but we have to be stronger.”
The Chabad Jewish Community Center invites all community members to Town Square Park at 6 p.m. for the peaceful rally.
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