Oklahoma crowd shows solidarity at 'A Night to Stand with Israel"

An Oklahoma City gathering originally planned as a festive affair was transformed into a somber event instead due to the recent attack on Israel by Hamas militants and the ensuing war between Israel and Hamas.

About 375 people attended "A Night to Stand With Israel" hosted by the Oklahoma Israel Exchange and several Jewish organizations on Tuesday at the First Americans Museum, 659 American Indian Blvd. The gathering included three former Oklahoma governors and their wives who attended the event in person, while Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, U.S. Sen. James Lankford and Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation, were among the leaders who shared remarks via video.

All attendees, including rabbis at the helm of three Oklahoma City Jewish congregations/organizations, gathered to express their support for the nation of Israel through brief speeches, music and the lighting of memorial candles. The presentations were interspersed with video news clips related to the attack by Hamas militants, the resulting war and the calls for solidarity with Israel.

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'We're going to walk alongside Israel'

Community leader and philanthropist Glenna Tanenbaum told the crowd that the war in Israel "demanded we change in focus." The event had initially been planned as a fashion gathering focusing on the "common threads" of Oklahoma and Israel, with focus on Sulphur-based Mahota Textiles, a tribally owned textile company, and the Israeli fashion house Maskit.

Jonna Kirschner,Oklahoma Israel Exchange (OKIE) president, thanked people for attending the event.

"It's easy to show up for a dazzling fashion event, but this is where it counts," she said.

Edie Roodman, Oklahoma Israel Exchange executive director, said many of the evening's guests had been scheduled to attend or participate in the event before it was changed. They included former Gov. David Walters and his wife, Rhonda; former Gov. Frank Keating and his wife, Cathy; and former Gov. Brad Henry and his wife, Kim.

David Walters, like the other event speakers, spoke of the importance of supporting Israel.

"Solidarity with Israel should embody, of course, not just a political alliance, but a shared commitment to the principles of justice, freedom and humanity," he said. "I pray that our united front serves as a testament to our dedication to a world where the unspeakable becomes the inconceivable and where love and respect triumph over the darkness of hatred."

Holt told the crowd that he led a delegation of mayors to Israel last year and he noted that a kibbutz community where his group had seen a playground full of children had been one of the areas attacked by Hamas.

"It's so vitally important that people around the world stand against terrorism," he said.

Lankford also spoke about combatting terrorism.

"Our nation, the United States, has suffered horribly through terrorism. We have responded as a nation to the effects of terrorism, protecting American citizens," Lankford said. "Israel has that right to be able to also protect its citizens, to be able to stand against terrorism. ... We're going to walk alongside Israel to be able to encourage those folks that they are not walking that road alone."

A chance for music, sharing thoughts

Meanwhile, award-winning Oklahoma City violinist Kyle Dillingham performed several musical selections on a violin that had been gifted to him by a Jewish friend whose family considered it a treasured heirloom. Elliott Wulff, Temple B'nai Israel's music director and student cantor, sang several songs and many guests sang along as both men performed.

The Oklahoma Israel Exchange, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, works to promote goodwill, understanding and collaborative partnerships between Oklahoma and Israel. Roodman, the organization's executive director, thanked Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley for attending Tuesday's event and for providing security for the evening.

The gathering, she said, was meaningful and the speakers' remarks were powerful.

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"It's sort of like this extraordinary embrace of love and support by this community and it has really lifted hearts," she said.

"For centuries, Jews have heeded the charge to add light to our world. As OKIE executive director, I am reminded that Oklahoma and Israel are one family faithfully tied."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Leaders, former governors at OKC event focus on solidarity with Israel