By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
For the third time in a month, the Jewish community will gather en masse next week for a rally in support of Israel, on Tuesday, April 30, in front of the Federal Building in downtown Seattle.
On April 17, balloons adorned Herzl-Ner Tamid on Mercer Island as more than 1,000 people crowded into the congregation’s auditorium to celebrate the 54th anniversary of independence of the State of Israel. Community leaders also estimated the crowd at an April 4 solidarity rally at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle to be more than 1,000. Expectations for the April 30 event, where walls and chairs won’t limit attendance but parking may be scarce, are that attendance will be even greater.
At the April 17 gathering for Israel Independence Day, throughout the evening, participants filled out postcards to U.S. President George Bush and senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to show their support for Israel. Pins with an American flag and an Israeli flag were sold for a donation to IsraelNOW. Flags were also handed out to attendees to wave during the event.
“Today we celebrate the miracle that is Israel,” said Michael Spektor, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. “Our connection to Israel is eternal.”
The evening started off with speeches by several community members, followed by live music by an Israeli duo, singer Maya Haddi Zebley and pianist/singer Sharon Farber.
“I haven’t seen this room this full since Yom Kippur,” said Rabbi Lisa Gelber as she looked out into the audience. She asked the audience members what they wanted for their birthday, adding that as people grow older, the focus of the present becomes more on the meaning than the packaging. Israel’s birthday gift should be one of hope, vision and peace, commented Gelber. “This cannot be too big a gift to wish for.”
“Tonight, we celebrate the land, the state and the people of Israel,” said Gelber.
Israeli Cousul General Yossi Amrani thanked the greater Seattle Jewish community for all of its support for Israel. “Seattle for me is a home far away from home,” said Amrani. “You are always there for us.”
Israel is in the Middle East now and forever, said Amrani. “We will not cave in to terrorism,” he said. “As we seek peace, we seek life for ourselves and neighbors.”
At the end of Amrani’s speech, the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Concluding the speeches, the audience was encouraged to support Israel by writing to their elected political officials and by supporting the IsraelNOW campaign. Then a portion of the audience stayed to hear the two performers play songs about peace and harmony.