At a vigil in Ormond Beach Monday night, the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties committed to sending $100,000 in reserve money to aid Israel.
Meanwhile, law enforcement in several local counties has increased security and patrols near synagogues and Jewish facilities because of the conflict.
At Monday night’s vigil, Ormond Beach Police, as well as Volusia County sheriff deputies, were present.
Law enforcement volunteered to provide extra security as a group of religious leaders and community members gathered inside Temple Beth El’s sanctuary.
Officers wanded down anyone entering, and a sniffing dog was also present before the event.
The vigil opened with remarks from Rabbi Dr. Rob Lennick, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties.
“Our Jewish community near and far is resilient, and we will continue to be,” said Lennick.
It was a space for prayer, reflection, and solidarity Monday night, with leaders from Christian churches also offering words of support.
“Christians are with you and behind you. You are the roots; we are the branches. We pray for you every day,” said one pastor.
Since Saturday, Rabbi Rob Lennick says it’s been difficult to watch live coverage of what has unfolded after Hamas gunmen attacked Israeli civilians and took several captive.
“For Israel, we pray for the soldiers’ strength, for the captives’ freedom, for the mourners’ comfort,” said Lennick.
On Monday, the death toll was nearing 1600 on both sides of the conflict, including 11 Americans.
With more than 6,000 miles of land and sea separating Palm Beach resident Alexander Polyak from his family in Israel, he told us he felt compelled to attend the vigil Monday.
“Unfortunately, I am not there today, but in my heart, I am with them,” said Polyak.
It was a sentiment echoed by dozens of others, with law enforcement leaders telling the community that they would continue to have their backs.
“You’re safe at your place of worship. You’re safe when you send your kids to school here. You’re safe when you go food shopping,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. “We will continue to fight for, protect, and serve our Jewish community.”
On Monday, the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties asked the community to match their $100,000 donation.
So far, leaders say they have raised $11,500.
A bicycle was targeted and two young Palestinian militants were killed near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel on October 7, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. Israel has declared a state of war.
A general view of damage caused by Israeli air strikes on October 7, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. Israel has declared a state of war.
A general view of damage caused by Israeli air strikes on October 7, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. Israel has declared a state of war.
A general view of damage caused by Israeli air strikes on October 7, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. Israel has declared a state of war.
A paramedic helps an injured man near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel on October 7, 2023, in Gaza City, Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. Israel has declared a state of war.
Palestinian citizens stand near an Israeli enclave seized from the Israeli occupation near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel on October 7, 2023, in Gaza City, Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. Israel has declared a state of war.
A young man carries an injured man on his bicycle near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel on October 7, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a missile attack on Israel today, with fighters simultaneously crossing the border from Gaza. Israel has declared a state of war.
Palestinians celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land, and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday.
Cars are on fire after they were hit by rockets from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
A rocket from the Gaza Strip struck a street in Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land, and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday.
Palestinian militants drive back to the Gaza Strip with the body of an Israeli soldier on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land, and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday.
Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land, and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday.
Cars are on fire after they were hit by rockets from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
Cars are on fire after they were hit by rockets from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
A column of smoke rises from the south of Israel on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
Residents look at damage after a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
Cars are on fire after they were hit by rockets from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
Rockets are fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The rockets were fired as Hamas announced a new operation against Israel.
A column of smoke rises from the south of Israel on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
Israeli soldiers head south near Ashkelon, Israel, Israel, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip infiltrated Saturday into southern Israel and fired thousands of rockets into the country while Israel began striking targets in Gaza in response.
A building was damaged after being hit by a rocket fired from Gaza strip on Saturday in Tel Aviv.
Israeli security forces work at the scene where a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a building on Saturday in Tel Aviv.
A man passes the scene where a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a building in Tel Aviv.
Smoke and flames rise on the Gaza Strip after being attacked by Israeli forces on Sunday.
Palestinians fire rockets in response to Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Smoke and flames rise after Israeli forces strike targets in the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes on October 08, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. After the attack launched by Hamas on Israel yesterday, which surprised them, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Palestinians to leave Gaza, and warned that the army would turn Hamas positions “into rubble.”
Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes on October 08, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. After the attack launched by Hamas on Israel yesterday, which surprised them, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Palestinians to leave Gaza, and warned that the army would turn Hamas positions “into rubble.”
Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes on October 08, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. After the attack launched by Hamas on Israel yesterday, which surprised them, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Palestinians to leave Gaza, and warned that the army would turn Hamas positions “into rubble.”
Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes on October 08, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. After the attack launched by Hamas on Israel yesterday, which surprised them, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Palestinians to leave Gaza, and warned that the army would turn Hamas positions “into rubble.”
Israeli rescue members work at a police station that was destroyed after a battle between Israeli troops and Hamas militants on October 8, 2023 in Sderot, Israel. On Saturday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched the largest surprise attack from Gaza in a generation, sending thousands of missiles and an unknown number of fighters by land, who shot and kidnapped Israelis in communities near the Gaza border. The attack prompted retaliatory strikes on Gaza and a declaration of war by the Israeli prime minister.
Rockets were fired towards Israel on October 8, 2023 at Gaza City, Gaza. After the attack launched by Hamas on Israel yesterday, which surprised them, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Palestinians to leave Gaza, and warned that the army would turn Hamas positions “into rubble.”
Israeli rescue members work at a police station that was destroyed after a battle between Israeli troops and Hamas militants on October 8, 2023 in Sderot, Israel. On Saturday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched the largest surprise attack from Gaza in a generation, sending thousands of missiles and an unknown number of fighters by land, who shot and kidnapped Israelis in communities near the Gaza border. The attack prompted retaliatory strikes on Gaza and a declaration of war by the Israeli prime minister.
Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes on Sunday in Gaza City, Gaza.
Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes after Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Sunday in Gaza City, Gaza.
Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes and business after Sunday's airstrikes by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli airstrikes caused extensive damage in Gaza City on Sunday.
Fire and smoke rise above buildings in Gaza City during an Israeli air strike on Sunday.
A missile explodes in Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on Sunday.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Vanguard has long had a reputation for eschewing the random fees asset managers are known for. But as our contributing columnist Allan Sloan notes, the company has started charging what he calls chintzy fees.
Legendary women's basketball star and broadcaster Rebecca Lobo shared a troubling example of sexism she encountered while coaching her son's youth basketball team.
Yahoo Sports NBA draft expert Krysten Peek is back for another season of On the Clock with Krysten Peek. Krysten just spent the week in Chicago at the NBA Draft Combine and kicks off draft season joined by CBS Sports' Kyle Boone.
Gottlieb's repeatedly courted controversy in his media role and will reportedly continue to host his nationally syndicated radio show while coaching Green Bay.
