‘Pray for peace’: Hundreds from KC’s Jewish community rally after Hamas attack on Israel

In the wake of a mass-casualty surprise attack by Hamas that prompted Israel to declare war against the militant group Sunday, hundreds from Kansas City’s Jewish community gathered in a show of solidarity Monday evening.

Prayers and songs were led by a group of rabbis and faith leaders inside The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park, the oldest and largest synagogue in the Kansas City area, as the death toll in Israel alone rose to around 900 people, including 73 soldiers. About 600 Kansas Citians attended the event as local leaders condemned the violence and called for locals to support Israel.

“This was an unprovoked terrorist attack on the Jewish people,” said Gavriela Geller, executive director of Overland Park’s Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee, adding that “it cannot be justified by any person with moral standing.”

Geller encouraged those of Jewish faith to stand together in the face of the “horrible acts” and continue to honor its traditions without fear.

“It is when we are scared to do that, that terror wins. But we will not cower,” Geller said. “This is our story. One in which we are no strangers to suffering. We still choose to be proud Jews — to honor our traditions, to celebrate our holidays, to support our community.”

The weekend attack, which came as U.S. Jews were preparing to celebrate the holiday of Simchat Torah, marks the greatest death toll seen in Israel since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria.

It began with a barrage of missiles launched from the Gaza Strip followed by an unprecedented, bloody incursion of Hamas militants who stormed into nearby Israeli towns, killing civilians and taking hostages, including from a music festival.

Israel’s military, caught off-guard by the attack, responded with airstrikes that continued to level buildings in Gaza on Monday. Food, fuel and supplies were also being cut off to the area by Israel as tanks and drones were deployed to shore up breaches along the Gaza border fence.

All told, the death toll Monday on both sides was estimated at 1,600 people, including more than 680 killed in Gaza, which Israel says includes hundreds of Hamas fighters. Hamas has threatened to kill hostages if airstrikes continue without warning.

As news of the attack by Hamas reached those in Kansas City over the weekend, Rabbi Stephanie Kramer, of Overland Park’s Congregation B’nai Jehudah, said many in the Jewish community were shocked and reeling. She said the solidarity event Monday was meant to be a place for comfort and support as they “pray for peace and hope for the land of Israel.”

Kramer said she has friends and relatives in Israel, close to and farther away from Gaza, impacted firsthand. She said she knows many who have been spending time in bomb shelters and safe rooms.

“The Jewish community is pretty tight-knit,” Kramer told The Star. “ I would say that most people know someone, are related to somebody, or know someone who knows someone who’s directly affected by this. And even if you don’t, as a Jewish person, our prayer is about the land of Israel.

Our holidays and seasons, so much of our rituals, are tied to the land of Israel. And so when our brothers and sisters there are hurting, it hurts us.”

The event Monday also came as CNN reported one of those killed by Hamas over the weekend was born in Boone County. Her father, who was on the phone with her as she was killed, used to teach at the University of Missouri.

Meanwhile, Missouri Republicans in Washington have been quick to cast the ongoing crisis through a partisan lens.

Shortly after news broke that Hamas had invaded Israel, both Sens. Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley quickly followed former President Donald Trump in putting the blame on the Biden administration.

Hawley and Schmitt have criticized a prisoner swap between Iran and the U.S. last month, because Iran has long supported Hamas. The U.S. unfroze $6 billion of Iran’s money it had in a South Korean bank account for humanitarian aid, according to the terms of the deal. Hawley and Schmitt implied the money was used to attack Israel, though the White House has said the money has not yet been spent.

“This is a shameful lie in every respect, at a time when both parties should be totally united in supporting Israel’s defense,” White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said.

On Sunday, Hawley continued to criticize Biden, after the White House held a barbecue for the families of people who staff the executive residence.

“Joe Biden should be in the Situation Room working around the clock to free Americans held hostage by Hamas, not barbecuing with a band on the White House lawn,” Hawley said.

The Star’s Daniel Desrochers contributed to this report. This story includes reporting from The Associated Press.