Be a part of something big — on Sunday, Sept. 23, 10:30 a.m. — when hundreds of Milwaukeeans join hundreds of thousands of Jews nationwide to participate in rallies in support of Israel.
Milwaukee is one of many communities across the country holding local events to coincide with a national rally organized in New York by the United Jewish Communities, the umbrella organization of North American Jewish federations. The theme for the rallies is “Standing Together: Israel Now and Forever.”
Nationally, UJC has declared September “Solidarity with Israel Month.” many public ceremonies, rallies and programs are scheduled by organizations and synagogues throughout the country to demonstrate the unity of the Jewish people in support of Israel and to promote awareness of the need to do so.
The hour-long local rally, to be held on the vacant lot at the intersection of Prospect and Ogden Aves., just south of the Helfaer Jewish Community Building, 1360 N. Prospect Ave., will feature speakers from throughout the Milwaukee community, elected officials including County Executive Tom Ament, representatives from the interfaith community and UJC, and musical entertainment. In addition, Kate Mann has choreographed an interactive component in which participants will form a giant Star of David.
The local event is sponsored by the Israel Coordinating Committee of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations, which has 18 member organizations. In addition, all local Jewish agencies, organizations, schools and other groups are being invited to be co-sponsors.
According to Paula Simon, MJCCR executive director, “This event is very different from memorial services and other Jewish events. This is a very public display of support for Israel.”
“It’s time when the entire community needs to stand together,” said Jerry Benjamin, chair of the Israel Coordinating Committee. “The daily events as they unfold in Israel are leading to a sense of increased isolation among Israelis and a growing fear for individual safety. It’s only by making certain our government and the wider community understand we are Israel’s partner, one Jewish people, 100 percent behind Israel, that we can help Israel through this very difficult time.
“The purpose of the rally is to show community support. By all of us being together we can effectively communicate our message.”
Keith Lindenbaum, MJCCR vice president and Israel Coordinating Committee co-chair, added, “It’s so important for Jews to stand together to show that Israelis and Jews in the diaspora are united as one at this time. I believe attendance at the rally will accomplish two goals: one is moral support to let the Israelis know that American Jews stand with them; the other is as American Jews to let the U.S. government know we are fully supportive of Israel in the political realm.”
Further, Lindenbaum said, “I believe that the strength and safety of the Jewish community worldwide is explicably linked to the security and prosperity of Israel. So, the community as a whole must stand together.”
As part of Solidarity Month, the Jewish community of Racine-Kenosha will hold a solidarity event on Sunday, Sept. 9, 10:45 a.m. at Beth Hillel Temple in Kenosha. Speaker will be Carl Schrag, former editor of the Jerusalem Post and current Midwest director of the American Jewish Congress.
The program is co-sponsored by Kenosha synagogues Beth Hillel and B’nai Zedek; Congregation Beth Israel Sinai of Racine; the Kenosha Jewish Welfare Fund; the Racine Jewish Welfare Fund; and the Racine-Kenosha Chapter of Hadassah.
For more information on the Milwaukee rally, contact the federation at 390-5700.
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