San Antonio Jewish leaders working to help Israel

SAN ANTONIO – On a weekend supposed to have a good time Simchat Torah, which marks the start of a brand new annual cycle of the studying of the scrolls, many Jewish San Antonians are making plans a vigil to mourn the ones killed in Israel.

“It’s been heartbreaking,” stated Temple Beth-El’s senior rabbi, Mara Nathan. “It is incredibly frustrating.”

And prayers for peace have not begun to be responded.

“There’s just sort of this irrational feeling like you want to run towards the trouble because you hate to just be sitting back and watching it all happen,” stated Nathan.

Watching struggle spread has been “an emotional rollercoaster” for Nammie Ichilov, the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio.

“We’re in triage mode right now trying to figure out what needs to be done and how we can take care of it,” he stated.

On Monday, the Jewish Federation will host a unity amassing for Israel at Temple Beth-El beginning at 6 p.m.

“It’s gonna be a time for us to be able to pray together, to be able to pray for the loss of life that’s taken place, to pray for the hopeful return of the hostages that were taken, and to pray for peace because ultimately, that’s all we’re really trying to achieve,” defined Ichilov.

However, whilst some are rallying to toughen Israel, others are backing Palestine.

One flyer on social media invited Palestinian supporters to a Sunday rally in downtown San Antonio.

“To have a rally to support those kinds of behaviors to me, is inexplicable,” stated Ichilov.

Many at Temple Beth-El say they are going to continue to pray for a solution to the violence.

“Be here to support not just the people of Israel and the state of Israel, but the Jewish community and I think the general sense that all human beings deserve to be safe and secure in their own homes,” stated Nathan.

Between 2021 and 2022, the Anti-Defamation League reported a 36% build up in antisemitic incidents. Both Nathan and Ichilov stated regulation enforcement has been involved with them as a precaution.