Far from Israel, Jews grieve and pray for peace in Shabbat services held as Israel-Hamas war rages

In synagogues around the world, Jewish communities came together this weekend to observe Shabbat services amidst the ongoing conflict ignited by Hamas militants’ attack on Israel. Rabbis led prayers for peace and shared in the collective grief with their congregations. Security measures were heightened in many synagogues as a precautionary measure.

For Jewish people, this deadly attack by Hamas is not merely a geopolitical event; it evokes generations of deep-seated trauma, particularly in Pittsburgh, a city scarred by the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Rabbi Daniel Fellman, speaking at Temple Sinai, expressed the pain felt by the Jewish community, emphasizing that more Jews lost their lives during the attack than on any other day since the Holocaust. He stressed that Hamas’s aim isn’t just the destruction of Israel but also poses a threat to Jewish individuals worldwide.

Despite the anguish, congregations worldwide echoed the sentiments of an Israeli soldier who encouraged worshippers to sing and dance, ensuring that the world hears their prayers for peace during Shabbat.

Rabbi Fellman drew parallels to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, emphasizing the shared humanity of all people, including Jews, Christians, and Muslims. He called for unity and understanding among these communities.

In Pittsburgh, where the memory of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in 2018 still haunts the Jewish community, Rabbi Seth Adelson shared his feelings of pain and the lack of support being felt in these trying times. Nonetheless, he emphasized the importance of maintaining the rituals of life, even in the face of grief.

Security remained a concern for some congregations, with visible police and security presence at synagogues. In Pennsylvania, a synagogue attendee carried a concealed weapon to protect the Orthodox synagogue.

Rabbis across the world denounced the attacks by Hamas and called for unity among the Jewish community. Rabbi Aaron Alexander in Washington, D.C., invoked the Hebrew refrain to “free the captives” and urged compassion for all affected by the conflict.

In Miami Beach, Florida, where many congregants have family in Israel, the emotional toll was palpable. Cantor Juval Porat and the rabbis led congregants in prayers for peace, safety for Israel, and for the hostages. They emphasized the need for solidarity and support for Israel’s relief efforts, rather than succumbing to hatred.

In Berlin, heightened security measures were visible outside synagogues in response to global tensions and calls for protests in front of Jewish institutions in Germany.

Lastly, in Indonesia, Rabbi Modechai Ben Avraham at the only synagogue in the country called for peace and an end to the conflict, emphasizing the importance of religious services in their community.

These gatherings in synagogues around the world bear witness to the collective grief and hope for peace in the midst of a challenging time for Jewish communities everywhere.

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