In response to the recent Hamas attacks on Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester organized a community vigil on Monday night. It was hosted by Temple B'rith Kodesh in Brighton.

The event drew a crowd of more than 1,000 people who came together in support of Israel. Security measures were put in place to ensure the event remained peaceful.

What You Need To Know

  • The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester organized a community vigil hosted by Temple B'rith Kodesh in Brighton to show support and unity in response to the recent Hamas attacks on Israel

  • The event drew a crowd of more than 1,000 people

  • Rabbi Peter Stein stressed the importance of standing together to reject hate and violence

  • Rabbi Stein mentioned that military members from the area had been called to serve in Israel since the attacks began. Families of those servicemen and women are anxious about the safety of their loved ones.

The conflict started when Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday. Israel's security cabinet formally declared war after the surprise series of strikes caught the country's military off guard, leading to heavy fighting in the streets. The death toll has soared, claiming hundreds of lives on both sides of the conflict.

Rabbi Peter Stein led the vigil and emphasized standing together in the face of hate and violence. 

"It's been very, very painful — very, very sad," Stein said. "There's a tremendous amount of fear. Rochester has a very close relationship with Israel. Many members of the community have family members living there and have spent time there. And so this is very, very personal when we see these atrocities happening."

Stein, the senior rabbi at Temple B'rith Kodesh, also highlighted the impact of the attacks on the local community. He expressed concern for the military members from the area who have been called to serve in Israel since the onset of the conflict. Families of these servicemen and women are anxious about the safety of their loved ones and the uncertainty of what's to come.

Among those attending the vigil was Abigail Sitterley.

"I'm here to be a support and whatever that means," she said. "I'm here to weep with those who are weeping and show my solidarity. I just hope that people feel the love of the community around them."

The community vigil served as a reminder of the connection between Rochester and Israel and the resilience of the people who live there.

The war is only expected to escalate from here, with questions over whether Israel will launch a ground invasion and Hamas threatening to kill captured Israelis if strikes targeted civilians without warning. Israel said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are also holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage.