Coachella Valley's Jewish community holds service in solidarity with Ukraine

Over 100 people from several local synagogues congregated at Temple Sinai in Palm Desert on Sunday for a service dedicated to gathering the valley's Jewish community in solidarity with Ukraine.

Seven rabbis and spiritual leaders spoke during the service, which was organized by Rabbi David Novak of Temple Sinai.

"The Jewish community of the Coachella Valley has come together on behalf of our Jewish brothers and sisters in Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, to raise our voice in our hope that this awful incursion will be ended soon," Novak said during the service.

The service Sunday came as Russia launched airstrikes against a military base in western Ukraine, killing at least 35 people and wounding 134, including both military personnel and civilians, according to Ukrainian officials. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at least 1,300 Ukrainian troops have been killed since Russia began its invasion. Zelenskyy also claims that 12,000 Russian troops have been killed.

More than 2.5 million Ukrainians have fled the country since Russia's invasion began on Feb. 24, according to the latest estimates from the United Nations.

More: Amid war, Coachella Valley locals with ties to Ukraine seek solidarity — and action

In addition to Novak, Rabbi Kenneth Emert with Sun City Jewish Services, Ken Hailpern with Beth Shalom in Bermuda Dunes, Rabbi Julian King with Desert Outreach in Rancho Mirage, Rabbi Steven Rosenberg with Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs, Rabbi J.B. Sacks with Congregation Am HaYam in Ventura, and Rabbi Richard Zionts with Congregation Har El in Palm Desert all spoke during Sunday's service.

Sacks, who lives in Palm Desert, recounted the story of the Romans capturing the city of Jerusalem and destroying the city and its Second Temple in 70 A.D.

"We are reminded that totalitarianism and freedom are eternal antagonists, with Judaism squarely on the side of freedom. And this is why we’re here today. ... The Ukrainian people against the Russians, like the Jewish people against the Romans, are trying to defend their country," said Sacks.

He continued: "If we, all free nations and all free people do not do what we can, how can we say 'Never again,' and how can we retain our dignity?"

Novak recognized complicated history between the Jewish community and Ukraine, noting that 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews were killed during the Holocaust, including the 33,000 killed by Nazi forces and Ukrainian collaborators at the Babi Yar massacre in September 1941.

Novak said many Ukrainian Jews left the country for Israel and the U.S., leaving the Ukrainian Jewish population between 80,000 and 300,000.

"No matter what the number is, it doe not come near to replacing what was lost. Our Jewish intersection with Ukraine is complicated. The pain of losing so many is so fresh, but we also share pride worldwide in Ukraine being a democratic country, and in Zelenskyy, Ukraine's young, charismatic, Jewish president," said Novak.

Novak ended his sermon with a prayer.

"We pray that the Ukrainian people and our Jewish brothers and sisters know that they’re at the front of our mind. We pray that this unnecessary conflict comes to an end with the minimal amount of bloodshed. We pray with all our beings for a speedy resolution to this unwanted catastrophe for Ukraine, for Europe. And we pray that Volodymyr Zelenskyy survives to lead his people for many more years to come," he said.

Stu Berger, a Palm Springs resident who attends Desert Outreach, said he was happy to see the community come together to support Ukraine.

"Our hearts all go out to the people of Ukraine," he said.

Dianne Drosmes, who also attends Desert Outreach, said she was moved to attend due to the children who have been displaced from their homes in Ukraine.

Novak hopes the event provided community members with a sense that they did something by coming together, noting that it's easy to feel helpless about a war happening so far away. Attendees were also encouraged to donate to the Jewish Federation of the Desert's Ukraine emergency relief fund, or to HIAS, which is providing emergency assistance to those who are displaced.

"Hopefully they'll also be motivated to pay closer attention to what's been going on, and not let it fall off the front page, which is important because we have to care, even if it feels far away from us. It's not about the price of gas, it's the price of freedom for this democracy that is under an abysmal attack from the Russian army and Putin," he said.

Erin Rode covers the environment for the Desert Sun. Reach her at erin.rode@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @RodeErin.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Desert Temple Sinai hosts service in solidarity with Ukraine