Congregation Adath Jeshurun (AJ) in Elkins Park held a candlelight vigil for Israel on Wednesday, January 24.
In attendance were the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia, Michael Balaban, AJ’s Rav Shai Cherry, and Rabbi Hazzan Howard Glantz. Speakers included Jacob Reibstein, 17, and Ella Newell, a 22-year-old IDF soldier, who visited immediately following her service in Israel.
The vigil was sponsored by the Jewish Federation.
“The importance of gathering together at this very difficult time cannot be understated,” Beth Shapiro, Director of Programming and New Initiatives, said. “We are, as a society, young and old, Jews and non-Jews, stronger when we create opportunities to be in community, when we listen to one another, and when we hold space to reflect on our always-shifting points of view.”
According to Shapiro, the success of the vigil came on behalf of the contributions of clergy from congregations, including Old York Road Temple Beth-Am, Congregation Keneseth Israel, Beth Sholom, Congregation Beth Or, the Congregations of Sharee Shamyim, and Melrose Binei.
“It was a warm and emotional evening shared by an intergenerational audience of our pre-school families, congregants, lay leaders, community organizers, and congregants from across the Old York Road Kehilah,” Shapiro said.
The vigil concluded with the reading of the names of hostages currently held in Israel and the singing of Hatikva led by clergy.
“Surprising to all was how long people lingered. Our younger congregants in their 30s connect with our treasured members in their 80s,” Shapiro said. “In this moment of disconnection, homophobic hate, and antisemitic, racist, misogynistic fearmongering, it was immensely beautiful to sit side by side and heart to heart to express solidarity with fellow citizens, especially when we do not all see precisely eye-to-eye.”
“AJ is planning to continue to host events that bring not only affiliated Jews in our area together but also foster a connection among LGBTQAI+ people, Jews of color, and Jewish allies. As we join together, we are stronger and can stand up against hate in all its manifestations,” she said.
The following memo was sent to Congregation Adath Jeshurun members after the vigil:
Hello to our Dear Community,
Thank you for being here with us at AJ last week. Each of you contributed to the ruach (spirit) and sense of community during the candlelight AJ – Jewish Federation Vigil for Israel. We appreciate your participation and your graciousness. We are stronger when we bring our community together and brighter when we gather our sparks of light together.
Below you will find information about two more programs in our 10/7 Resilience series, the first of which is on Zoom only this Sunday at 10:30 AM. We have also included the links to the Federation’s Emergency Appeal and to Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Kibbutz members and survivors of 10/7 will be speaking at AJ on February 25. Please, consider extending your financial help to our Israeli family who are in such dire need.
I look forward to the times when we can be together again.
B’vrachah,
Beth Shapiro
Director of Programming and New Initiatives
Congregation Adath Jeshurun
To donate to the Jewish Federation’s emergency response fund, you can click here. For more on Congregation Adath Jeshurun, you can visit their website and Facebook page.
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Photos: Skip Atkins of AJ