ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — On Wednesday evening, a crowd gathered in St. Louis Park to pay their respects to six Israeli hostages killed this week.
In Israel, protesters flooded the streets again in which the Israeli Prime Minister was asked to agree to a ceasefire and release the remaining hostages.
This desire is also strong in Minnesota.
“This weekend’s news was a huge slap in the face,” said Jim Cohen, CEO of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.
The shofar was blown during the gathering on the Wednesday before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
“It’s said that the shofar stirs people’s hearts, prepares them for the High Holy Days, awakens their conscience, perhaps for what’s to come,” said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. “It’s important now, we need to awaken our conscience. Have we done enough for Israel? Have we done enough for the Jewish community?”
The six Hamas hostages found dead this week are Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Alex Lobanov, Almag Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American.
“We all feel like we’re in mourning,” said Marsha Schoenkin of Mendota Heights. “We also feel like the rest of the world isn’t in mourning, so where are you going to be? [at a time like this]“You’re going to be with your friends, your people, your community.”
The expressions of support for Israel among those present show how much Jews feel connected to the country.
“No one is alone,” Cohen said. “We stand with each other and we stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel and Jews around the world. We’re going to stand up for what’s right and the release of the hostages.”
Hamas still holds dozens of hostages.
Schoenkin wears a tag around her neck that reads, “Bring them home now.”
“The anthem of the Jewish people says we will not give up hope, so I will not give up hope,” she said.
David Schuman
