By COLlive reporter
A grassroots initiative to support Israel’s military operation in Gaza has grown into a community-wide solidarity rally to take place in the Jewish Community Center in North Miami Beach on Thursday, July 31.
Joseph Waks, clothing designer, says he came up with the idea for a rally after a friend told him that she wouldn’t hang an Israeli flag on her car because she was afraid.
“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” says the Australian born Waks, “that in 2014, in Miami Beach somebody would be worried about expressing their identity? It totally shook me up.”
Since Israel launched a campaign to stop Hamas rockets being fired at civilians, South Florida has become a place of anti-semitism and hate crimes.
Swastikas reminiscent of 1942 and words like “Hamas” and “Jew” were spray painted on a synagogue in North Miami Beach, two Jewish owned cars and an apartment building with many Jewish residents.
“I felt like we needed to do something,” says Waks, who turned to friends and social media to garner support for a large solidarity rally. Word began to spread and soon enough all major Jewish institutions, synagogues and agencies in Miami asked to join.
“This rally is more than supporting Israel’s right to exist,” says Waks. “There is a surge of antisemitism that is palpable here in South Florida. Just this morning there was another Jewish building vandalized. We have to send a clear message: Jews should not be targeted. Not in Miami, not in Paris, not in Jerusalem not anywhere.
“I have never spoken about Israel or my Jewishness to my clients. However, with the current situation in Israel and antisemitism both internationally and at our front doors reaching an all time high, I’ve come to realize that I am a Jew. A proud Jew.”
Devorah Leah Andrusier, a resident of Bal Harbour and mother of 7 children, says she felt the need to do something.
“Every night, after work and putting the kids to bed, I check Facebook and the news for updates. I am inundated with pictures and videos of the painful and tragic losses of our soldiers and information of what’s going on in Israel,” she says.
“Hamas is fighting a propaganda war. Israel is the aggressor killing innocent civilians. How can people actually believe these lies? How can they not see these terrorists for what they are,” Andrusier says.
“Israel is doing everything it possibly can to protect Palestinian civilians. Israel not only has a right to defend itself, it has a duty to destroy those who want to wipe out the Jewish people and all freedom seeking people. Hamas hates Americans and Westerners with the same deep hate they have for Israelis.”
The Community Solidarity Rally for Israel will be held at the Michael-Ann Russel Jewish Community Center on 18900 NE 25th Avenue in North Miami Beach on Thursday, July 31, at 6:30 p.m.
Standing together, unified, Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar, Spiritual Leader of The Shul, and Pastor Carlos Ortiz, National Hispanic Coordinator of Christians United for Israel, will be addressing the crowd.
Organizers are encouraging the public to come dressed in blue and white, the colors of Israel’s flag. Water and snacks will be provided as well as parking.
The Rebbe encouraged the mivtzah of teffilin.BEH there will be this activirty promoted
Yeshar Koach for the effort, but rallies, and yes, even Davening and Shiurim in Chul are not the answer. Aliyah is, come home now.
We have been also organizing Tehillim groups and lots of Torah Shiurim, We are doing everything we can to bring as many people together in every way.
If anyone reading this wants to get involved in activities in the NYC area. Please email [email protected] I am in touch with many of the NYC organizers. FYI: the grassroots pro Israel activists are very interested in Chabad’s help and are willing to work with us to meet our standards…
either use your own yoוng men, create neighborhood watch, or pay security vehicles to patrol constantly, in conjunction with the police. See what the Rabbi of South Africa did for Johannesburg.עם עיקש תתפתך וכו’
We are a wonderful people, a kind and giving people, wherever we go, we make it better, we transform dark places into light, we never ask the nations to be like us, we show them respect, we are kind to outsiders, we welcome the convert, we clothe the naked, we feed the sick, we stand up for the underdog and give shelter, and now the time has come for us to demand our right to live, our right to survive and unite as the people we truly are. I don’t not why Hashem thinks it’s a good idea for our… Read more »
So proud of u dl. Most amazing shlucha….
Joseph my friend, you are a tzaddik. Keep a good head and continue in this work!
Miami and South Florida are melting pots for all types of Jews. This is a perfect way to include all Jews and help them feel united not just Chabadniks.
Is this how we as Chabadniks should fight back? Why not a Chassidish gathering, Tzniyus, with Tehillim, Torah & Tzedaka instead?!…