A theme across America on Sunday was “I Stand For Israel.” Threatened by anti-Zionism and antisemitism after 4,000 rockets from Hamas landed across Israel in under two weeks, a cease-fire on Thursday, May 20, propelled Jews to mobilize.
Thousands marched in more than a dozen U.S. cities. They showed solidarity for Israel and condemned the recent upsurge of antisemitic attacks around the world.
By 11:00 on Sunday morning, hundreds had gathered outdoors in the Congregation Suburban Torah parking lot in Livingston, many wearing masks or following the latest CDC guidelines, others unmasked. Those gathered highlighted the push for normalcy after more than a year of fear from a global pandemic, followed by more than a week of rockets fired at Israel.
Volunteers greeted the non-denominational array of residents from various Essex County communities, including West Orange, Livingston, Springfield and others, gifting them with Israeli flags and bottled water.
Cindi Dresdner of West Orange, organizer of the event, said, “The amazing thing about this is that it was completely grassroots—just a few people who were really motivated and had three days to get it done. And, of course, an incredible community that really wanted to make it happen. The unity is what made it so beautiful.”
David Azizo of Livingston felt it was necessary to be at the march “to support Israel and fight antisemitism, which,” he added, “has always been an issue, rooted from creation, but it is worse now.” Asked if he ever faced antisemitism, he revealed that he came from Cairo, Egypt, in 1961 when, he relayed politely, “The government asked us to leave.”
Marina Chernan of Livingston said that she was there “to march to fight antisemitism, support Israel and the Jewish right to self-determination.”
As the intergenerational marchers peacefully walked down Mount Pleasant Avenue and then along South Livingston Avenue, from the Suburban Torah parking lot to the Livingston Oval, waving American and Israeli flags, drivers beeped and held out raised fist bumps in solidarity. Along the route, the Livingston Fire Department staff offered more bottled water, and Hatzalah members distributed ice packs as the temperatures soared in the hot sun.
While walking, Liat Matthew of Livingston, who came from Bat-Yam, Israel when she was 9, said, “Our job as Jews in America is to stand up. Be proud. It’s my duty.” She called the conflict in Israel “devastating,” warning, “History is repeating itself.” While seriously considering making aliyah, she noted that this country needs us. As for her family still living in Israel, she said, “All night they were going into the stairwell.”
Matthew insisted, “Palestinians should be on our page to save them from Hamas.”
A lone woman from India stood cheering the crowd, chanting, “India stands with Israel always.” Asked why she was there, she said, “In solidarity with our friends in town and the state of Israel.” A staunch supporter of Israel, she divulged that she has a Jewish Indian uncle who lives in South Jersey. She added, “Two-thousand years ago Jews fled to India. Israel and India are the only two countries where Jews did not face antisemitism.”
She continued, “Hindus from India like myself also live in fear similar to [the] Jewish community. Terrorism is also a problem for us.” For security reasons, she asked that her name not be published.
Planned police escorts safely led the marchers to the sounds of Israeli music by Olam DJ & Production on the half-hour walk to the Oval. The grounds, packed with supporters waving Israeli flags, included babies in strollers and dogs on leashes. A woman in the overflowing crowd commented, “Nice turnout.”
Shortly after noon, Moshe Glick, a grassroots event co-organizer from West Orange, gave opening remarks at the gazebo. He welcomed the “heartwarming and amazing crowd of about 2,000,” thanking his co-organizers and announcing that they were spurred to action by Cindi Dresdner of West Orange. Marveling that the rally came together in three days, Glick received cheers from the crowd as he proclaimed, “We need to do our part and show the world we are unabashed, unapologetic supporters of Israel … Our politicians need to understand there is no gray line. Either you stand with Israel, the greatest friend of the U.S. in the Middle East, or you stand with Hamas, a terrorist organization that celebrated the 9/11 attackers … We must do our part to ensure never again truly means never again!”
Cantor Joel Caplan of Congregation Agudath Israel led The Star-Spangled Banner and Hatikvah. The keynote speaker and another of the event organizers, Rabbi Elie Mischel of Congregation Suburban Torah, had the crowd cheering and waving flags as he offered powerful words.
Rabbi Mischel began by saying, “We are all united as one here, for one reason—to stand up for good and stand up to evil. We are on the side of good.” He quickly added, “4,000 rockets from Hamas in less than two weeks fired all over Israel, this is evil.” After stating that “anti-Zionism is antisemitism,” to thunderous applause, Rabbi Mischel went on, “We have to be the light in the world of darkness. We are a people of righteousness and goodness.”
“It is time for us to wake up,” Rabbi Mischel said forcefully. “There is a war going on and it’s a war against Jews everywhere. Where is the condemnation?” He continued, “We are losing the internet war. Our kids have to fight it.” His words became nearly drowned out to cheers of Am Yisrael Chai.
“Hamas says ‘F the Jews’ and the world does nothing. You have to stand up and be strong,” warned Rabbi Mischel. “We have a message for antisemites,” he cautioned. “We will not respond by cowering and fear. We have Jewish pride.”
Rabbi Mischel completed his remarks by reminding those gathered that “the Jewish people are eternal,” followed by another chanting of Am Yisrael Chai before other area rabbis took to the mic.
As the program ended, Mark Friedman of Livingston remarked, “The Hamas charter calls for the destruction of Israel. If you’re for Hamas, you’re against Israel,” adding, “It’s a shame as Americans we have to be here, and unfortunate that we need this as a motivation to come together.” He warned, “The protests that exist online are much harder to combat.”
In addition to Cindi Dresdner, Moshe Glick, Renee Glick and Rabbi Mischel, West Orange and Livingston residents Larry Rein, Howard Blank, Chaim Goldman and others helped plan the event.
To join their grassroots initiative in supporting Israel and combating antisemitism, email [email protected].
