Irvine JCC Hosts Community Gathering for Israel

Hundreds gathered at the Merage Jewish Community Center in the wake of vicious terrorist attacks in Israel. Photo credit The Vine

On October 10, 2023, hundreds of people gathered at the Merage Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Irvine in a Community Gathering for Israel. The event was organized by the Jewish Federation of Orange County and the JCC in response to the largest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust.

The vigil began with singing the Star Spangled Banner and ended with singing Hatikva, the Israeli national anthem. In between, the rapt crowd heard speeches and prayers from multiple local rabbis representing synagogues throughout Orange County.

Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent, State Senator Josh Newman, Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley, Third District Supervisor Don Wagner, and State Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris all attended. Petrie-Norris came to the microphone to share her unwavering support for Israel, as did Congresswoman Katie Porter and Senator Alex Padilla via video message.

Throughout the evening, speakers addressed the importance of unity and solidarity in the face of terrorism. They stressed that Israel is a democracy that is under attack by a terrorist organization, and that it is important for the international community to stand up for Israel and its right to exist.

After the event, the crowd spontaneously broke out into a rousing chorus of Am Yisrael Chai, a song expressing a longing for a united Jewish people to live together in safety, security, and harmony.

The event was a powerful display of support for Israel and its people, and it served as a reminder that the Orange County community is united in its support for the Jewish state.

“The Jewish community here in OC will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel as it does what it needs to do to defend its citizens and defeat Hamas,” said president and CEO of Jewish Federation of OC, Erik Ludwig. “There is “no justification for acts of terrorism. They are pure evil, and all decent people have a responsibility to condemn them.”