Progressive movement gathers in support of Israel
Late today, hundreds of members of Melbourne's progressive community gathered at Temple Beth Israel to show solidarity for Israel.
A PACKED Temple Beth Israel (TBI) – with hundreds more watching online – took part in a special event on Sunday afternoon, held by Progressive Judaism Victoria (PJV), to share its shock and grief with Israel after the Hamas onslaught.
The event saw attendees joining in sombre, rousing songs of solidarity, reciting Kaddish for Israel’s murdered civilians and fallen troops, and singing Hatikvah.
Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) co-president Brian Samuel read a statement from the Union for the UPJ, the Australian Reform Zionist Association, Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors of Australia and the Netzer youth movement: “On the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, terrorists have fired over 2000 rockets at Israel and initiated a land attack, targeting civilians. Israelis across the country have been forced into bomb shelters, and communities are fighting to protect their families.
“We stand with Israel, its citizens and the Israel Defence Forces. We pray for a swift resolution to the unprovoked aggression. Am Yisrael Chai.”
PJV president Maureen Barten told the gathering, “Our movement stands in solidarity with our entire Jewish community in strength and with prayers, for the safety of Israel, its armed forces and all its people.
“We send our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and pray for the safe return of those missing and those taken hostage.
“We support Israel’s right to defend itself and condemn the atrocities perpetrated by the terrorist group Hamas.
In this horrible time, we must stay united.”
TBI’s Rabbi Gary Robuck reflected that in the Hamas war, “Israel’s citizen soldiers, her boys and her girls, its aged and young, are required to give once more. And we, more than 13,000 kilometres distant, must stand with them.”
Attendees heard messages of solidarity from Melbourne-based Israeli Nirit Eylon and from ARZA vice-president Ayal Marek.
The gathering broke into Israeli songs of united hope, led by musician Vered Harel.
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