The flag of Israel flies below Lower Gwynedd Township’s flag at the township’s Veterans Memorial Park on Bethlehem Pike on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
Last Sunday’s attacks by Hamas terrorists in Israel, and the subsequent week full of international threats and protests worldwide, have led to shows of support throughout the North Penn-Wissahickon region.
Flags flying, fundraisers, and donation drives have been among the ways Montgomery County residents have shown support for Israel, and a desire for peace in the Mideast.
"It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the recent tragic events that have unfolded in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Israel, especially to the victims and their families affected by the recent terrorist attack,” said Lower Gwynedd Township in a statement issued Wednesday.
"We stand in unwavering solidarity with our friends and allies during this challenging time. As your board, we want to assure you that our township stands firmly alongside Israel, condemning all acts of violence and terrorism that seek to disrupt the lives of innocent civilians. We must continue to work together to promote peace, dialogue, and understanding in our community and around the world,” said that group.
Flag of Israel Raised in Solidarity
The statement, posted in full on the township’s website and social media channels, was echoed in a flag-raising ceremony held at noon Friday, in which the blue-and-white flag of Israel was raised at Lower Gwynedd’s Veterans Memorial Park on Bethlehem Pike.
Rev. Charles W. Quann from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Penllyn and Rabbi Gregory S. Marx from Congregation Beth Or in Maple Glen spoke, as did township supervisors Vice Chair Michael Twersky.
"Today we raise the Israeli flag in solidarity with the Israeli people following the gruesome terrorist attack on that nation. We raise the flag to show our support not just for Israel, but against terrorism and violence. This type of violence and extremism has become all too common in the world. We have to find a better way to disagree with one another,” Twersky said.
"Our differences should not lead to violence, but to a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. We need to replace guns with decency and compassion, bombs with understanding and empathy and to use a kind word instead of an insult. It is incumbent upon all of us to find a path to peace. There are no quick fixes to these problems, but each of us can take small steps to make a difference. Let’s take that first step today,” he said.
Message of Unity
As she watched the ceremony, Colby Wexler, of Ambler, said she was heartened to hear messages of peace from her rabbi, Marx, of Beth Or, and from township leaders.
"We’re all a community, and a family. We all know at least one person in Israel even if it’s not direct: It’s ‘My friend’s sister lives there, or my cousin is married and on his side of the family…’ We all know people there, one way or another,” Wexler said.
Beth Or held a prayer for peace service last Sunday and then announced on Wednesday the death of Avia Hetzroni, "the beloved adopted father of Debbi Gilad (Oren) of Ambler, who was murdered at his home at Kibbutz Be’eri at (the) hands of Hamas terrorists,” according to a Beth Or email.
"We pray for the safe return of Avia’s sister, Ayala Hetzroni and Avia’s twin 12 year old grandchildren, Liel and Yanai Hetzroni, who are missing from Kibbutz Be’eri outside of the Gaza Strip,” the congregation email message said.
Fundraisers Being Held
Beth Or has held fundraisers for several charities in the conflict zone, including to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, a nonprofit that helps supply IDF soldiers, veterans and family members, and for Magen David Adom, a donor-supported agency that supports emergency responders there.
It’s the latter that Courtney England, a Bucks County resident, said inspired her to ask for a "micro-donation” fundraiser from friends and family via social media.
"The bulk of the donations are really small: $2, $5, all the way up to hundreds. It’s really inspiring: I’ve had a lot of friends share it, so a lot of the donations are coming in from people I don’t know, which is fascinating to me,” she said.
Her fundraiser, which started on her private Instagram page and asked for donations via Venmo, started on Monday and broke through her goal of $5,400 in donations by Friday, and she’s found other charities willing to match donations, so she hopes the local contributions will only grow and make a difference for those on the ground.
"I don’t have any family there, but I do have friends there, and was able to visit in 2007. I just feel really strongly about Israel, and with the history behind Judaism, it’s just so important for us, as a people, to have somewhere. It’s just so heartbreaking, what’s happening, it’s just a helpless feeling,” she said.
"It’s such a complicated, and confusing, and scary situation. I’ve been learning about it my whole life, and still don’t feel really versed in the history behind it. I just think we can all agree that the surprise attack, the violence against Israel — we have a right to defend ourselves. I love the Palestinian people, I feel for the Palestinian people, but I think we can all agree that Hamas, which is a terrorist organization, does not stand for the Palestinian people,” England said.
Across the Region
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is hosting a march for Israel starting at 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, beginning at City Hall in Philadelphia, and dozens of area temples, synagogues and congregations are listed as supporters.
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is hosting a "United for Palestine” event on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Khair community Center, 1079 Egypt Road in Phoenixville, and also shared information about "Justice for Palestine” protests in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Allentown on Friday and an online "Palestine on the edge” presentation scheduled for Oct. 29.
North Wales borough held a moment of silence at the start of their Tuesday night council meeting at the request of Mayor Neil McDevitt.
"As you all know, Israel was attacked over the weekend by terrorists. Hundreds of innocent people, including American citizens, were murdered, kidnapped, raped and assaulted. I would like to ask for a moment of silence, to mourn the many who have died and been affected, and hope for peace and justice to prevail,” he said, before several seconds of silence from council.
North Penn Superintendent Todd Bauer sent a message to families addressing "the horrific events unfolding in Israel and Gaza,” and saying he is "sure that you join me in sincere sadness and concern over the acts of violence and the senseless loss of life.”
"Talking to children and young adults about topics such as conflict, terrorism, and war is challenging. In truth, it’s not always easy for us adults to have these difficult conversations. In an ideal world, such conflicts would not occur and we would work together to navigate our differences rather than resort to acts of violence, terrorism, and war. Sadly, the events unfolding in the Middle East are exactly that,” Bauer said, with links to outside resources for parents to talk to their children about the conflict.
The Wissahickon School Board issued two similar statements this week, the first saying the "world has witnessed a surge in international conflict and horrific events that have left us feeling a great deal of sadness and concern over the acts of violence and loss of life,” and the second expressing that board’s "deepest sympathies to all those affected by the ongoing conflict and especially the awful attacks against Israeli civilians this past weekend.”
Wexler said the first statement drew ire from some in the local community, because it did not denounce terrorism against Israel specifically, while others were irked that the statement took several days to issue compared to similar board statements about other recent protests. She doesn’t have direct family in Israel, but knows friends with family there, and says she’s had trouble discussing the recent attacks with friends and colleagues who compare it to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
"We’re not getting the same support. People say ‘What about Palestine?’ And I say ‘This isn’t about Palestine. We don’t want people in Palestine to get hurt either. This is anti-terrorism,'” she said.
And how do you discuss the current outbreak of war with children? Wexler said Beth Or has helped make that process easier.
"I don’t get too much into the detail of what’s going on, but he does know there’s a war. I don’t want to say how it started, because who wants to talk about genocide with their nine-year-old,” Wexler said, referring to conversations with her 9-year-old son.
"The main thing is, we went through the Holocaust, and we said ‘Never forget.’ And we need to remember that now. Because we just lost a whole lot of Jewish lives, and there’s not that many of us in this world. So it would be nice to have a community, or a school district, or whatever, supporting us.”
England said she had reservations about sending her children to school Friday, but has been grateful for support from her synagogue and friends over the past week, and will never forget her birthright trip to the country 15 years ago.
"It’s just so beautiful. I remember people asking, ‘Aren’t you scared?’ And I guess maybe a little, but then when you’re there it’s perfect. It’s paradise. It’s so beautiful, and I really can’t wait to go back there with my kids’,” she said.
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