Columbia's Jewish community holds vigil at synagogue following Hamas attack on Israel

The vigil for Israel Thursday at Congregation Beth Shalom served as a reprieve from the horrors of the past several days, for just a moment, Rabbi Matt Derrenbacher told the dozens of Jews and non-Jews at the event.

"The road ahead will be long," Derrenbacher said before reciting the mourner's kaddish. "Difficult conversations will be had. More blood will be shed."

The vigil is a local response to the weekend Hamas attacks. There were at least 2,500 deaths on both sides as of Thursday, after the Israeli military responded.

The board of Congregation Beth Shalom and Derrenbacher on Sunday issued a statement about the attacks saying it turned a time filled with joy and anticipation into a "broken glass moment, recognizing the incredible pain and destruction of the events unfolding in Israel and their effect on the Jews here in mid-Missouri and around the globe."

"Tonight we come together in the sacred oneness that is community," Derrenbacher said.

Thousands of lives had been destroyed in tragic and horrific ways, he said.

"May the memories of all those taken too soon be a guiding light on our journey toward peace," the rabbi said.

Jeanne Snodgrass, director of Hillel at the University of Missouri and Columbia school board member, sang blessings, including for those taken hostage and trying to get home.

The Unitarian Universalist Church provided support through its pastor, Molly Housh-Gordon.

"The magnitude of this loss has broken our hearts and we join you in grief," Housh-Gordon said.

Before the vigil, those saying they were there to show solidarity and support for Israel and the Jewish people were Mark Statler, Michel Puidk and his daughter Sarah Puidk.

Others were there from the synagogue, including married couple Josh Kaplan and Andrea Goldstein.

"I think it's important for our community to come together and mourn the losses both in Israel and in Gaza," Goldstein said.

"I think people right now need support," Kaplan said. "It's very divisive and isolating. There's more division instead of empathy."

Noting the Columbia police present, Goldstein said there were concerns for safety even for a small gathering like this.

What happened in Israel was an attempt at ethnic cleansing by a terrorist organization," said Ilay Kilemanowicz, vice president of Students Supporting Israel at MU, after the vigil.

"I already have four graves I have to visit the next time I'm in Israel," Kielmanowicz said.

They are the graves of a friend and three from the town his family is from, he said.

The scenes from Israel are terrible, he said, crying.

"I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy," he said of the treatment of Israeli civilians.

The sophomore from St. Louis said that just as there are Holocaust deniers, some will deny this.

"Very soon, people are going to say this didn't happen, Kielmanowicz said.

During the vigil, Derrenbacher also acknowledged the presence of Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and Kip Kendrick, presiding Boone County Commissioner.

"I see God here tonight in the faces of each and every one of you," Derrenbacher said.

As the vigil ended, the rabbi reminded people of the refreshments.

"It's a Jewish-hosted event," Derrenbacher said. "You can't leave hungry."

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on X at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Rabbi notes "the sacred oneness of community" during vigil for Israel