Rabbis in Columbus speak out about Hamas invasion of Israel, war in Gaza

Caption

Rabbi Lawrence Schlesinger of Temple Israel conducts Shabbat services on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

Credit: DARRELL ROADEN / Special to the Ledger-Enquirer

Fifty years ago, Larry Schlesinger was sitting in the Yochanan Ben-Zakkai synagogue in Jerusalem when he suddenly heard air raid sirens that marked the beginning of the Yom Kippur War.

Now a rabbi at Temple Israel in Columbus, news of the recent attacks on Israel has reawakened memories of the experience.

Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza by storming towns backed by rockets during a major Jewish holiday Saturday, kidnapping 150 people.

In response, Israel’s military ordered a complete siege of the Gaza Strip after a formal declaration of war on Sunday. Israel has maintained a blockade over Gaza since 2007 that limits the movement of people and goods and has been criticized by some human rights organizations as collective punishment.

The death toll has surpassed 2,300, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Hamas has threatened to kill hostages if Israel bombs buildings.

Schlesinger and Rabbi Brian Glusman of Shearith Israel in Columbus are grappling with the emotions of the attack and ongoing war as they lead their congregations.

“It’s just an act of barbarity by people who do not seem to have any respect for human life, particularly men, women and children,” Schlesinger said. “And no sovereign nation is going to allow rockets to be hurled into it across the border.”

There are ways for people in Columbus to support the Jewish community in Israel, the rabbis said. The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta is collecting donations to help rebuild damaged infrastructure and address trauma caused by the attack.

Donations through the Jewish Federation of Columbus are also welcome, Schlesinger said.

“(The Federation) is really a conduit between American communities and the social service agencies of the state of Israel,” he said.

While some cities and synagogues across America are increasing security, both rabbis say they are confident in their current security’s ability to keep their congregations safe. A rise in antisemitism across the globe and attacks on synagogues and temples in the United States have elevated the importance of security.

“Shearith Israel is always on high alert,” Glusman said. “We have security and an officer at every service that we conduct and at every event that we host.”

Temple Israel is similarly always on high alert, Schlesinger said.

Schlesinger said that over the centuries, the Jewish people have faced hardship and enemies, and the community has prevailed.

“I think we’re just at another one of those points,” Schlesinger said. “And I have no doubt that when the dust clears and settles, which is probably not going to be for a long time, that the Jewish people will again prevail.”

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Ledger-Inquirer.