Voices from Our Community
A letter from Duke Zimmerman, Member of The Associated’s Jewish Life Managing Council to his grandchildren.
We are in Switzerland late today, in our first hour out discovering the old city of Zürich, Mom Mom and I miraculously came upon and attended a large ’Support Israel’ rally in the Old City of this town.
There were many strong speeches — almost all in German — which mostly we did not understand, but we clearly got the gist of the messages — Total Condemnation of Hamas! (And we clapped when every body else clapped!) It was also eerie to hear the loudspeaker booming out German words, emphatically, in support of Israel.
The mostly solemn rally was held, symbolically we believe, on the steps of a famous 300-year-old church (that happened to include some famous Chagall windows). Many flags, both Israeli and Swiss, were on display. Some people were wrapped in Israeli flags, others holding lighted candles. Many hand written signs.
I have attached some photographs that may give you an idea of this very moving event.
And, of course, similar (and larger) events like this one are being held around the world.
There could have been perhaps 1000 or 1500, in attendance, hard to judge.
A lot of people, I think, for a small city like Zürich.
Pray for Israel.
In attendance at this rally, from Baltimore, were Duke and Phyllis Zimmerman and Abram Kronsberg and Robin Kaplan. Photographs by Duke Zimmerman.
A letter from Mayrav Chayon, Co-chair of The Associated’s Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership, Ashkelon
The situation is so overwhelming that it is almost impossible for me to find the bandwidth to do anything other than stare at the news, social media and WhatsApp. It has been an ongoing nightmare since Saturday. My son who is in reserves in Tel Aviv is going daily to funerals of friends of his, who were killed, either at the party or who were in Gaza Border towns on Chag/Shabbat.
This has affected each and every one of us, each in their own way.
Fortunately, the spirit of brotherhood has been prevalent over the last days and we witness the manifestation of Achim Areivim Ze Lize (brothers there for each other) in the volunteering, 150% recruitment and in the acts of kindness everywhere. We are seeing the very best version of Am Yisrael, here in Israel and across the globe over these last days and this has been a “pillar of light.”
One very significant and more personal “pillar of light” for all of us here in Ashkelon has been our close contact with our Baltimore Partnership family. This has been a light in the darkness of our despair and has lifted our spirits at the most difficult of moments. Our resilience is nourished by your caring, concern and ongoing support. The constant messages, videos of gatherings, prayers and vigils which we are receiving from you, lifts us out of the shelters and war zone, not physically, but spiritually and for that I am so grateful.
Our Partnership is a unique one, it always has been, from many aspects, but the most dominant are the personal connections and the absolute determination to be there for each other “stronger together.” We feel this in so many ways, and please know that the outpouring of love, prayers, concern and caring has made the heavy baggage we are carrying on our shoulders, from worry, fear and sorrow, feel lighter somehow because you are there for us to share it with and are with us shoulder-to-shoulder, carrying it alongside us.
The Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership is a joint community of brothers and sisters, cousins, parents and grandparents. Am Yisrael Chai.
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