Prayers for Israel conflict across nation and in Lake County

Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial
·3 min read
People attend a vigil for Israeli victims at the Stephen Wise Temple, in Los Angeles, California on Oct. 8, 2023, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel.
People attend a vigil for Israeli victims at the Stephen Wise Temple, in Los Angeles, California on Oct. 8, 2023, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel.

Vigils and fundraising efforts have been organized across central Florida and around the world to provide healing and assistance to victims and loved ones in the recent bombardments on Israel and the Palestinian territories, and the horrific kidnappings that took place on Oct. 7, a date that's been described as Israel's 9/11.

The attacks on Israel coincided with the 50th anniversary of the start of the 1973 Yom Kippur war. As of this writing, the death toll includes 11 Americans, more than 800 in Israel and more than 500 in Gaza. Militant groups have claimed to hold the estimated 150 people kidnapped from Israel. Hamas also claimed that four hostages were killed by Israeli airstrikes.

Israel’s military ordered "a complete siege" on the Gaza Strip on Monday, halting deliveries of food, water, fuel and supplies to its 2.3 million residents as it pounded the Hamas-ruled territory with waves of airstrikes in retaliation.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, has been deployed to the Middle East with approximately 5,000 sailors and a deck of warplanes.

A prayer vigil for Israel will take place at Lake David Park – South at 450 S. Lake Ave., Groveland.
A prayer vigil for Israel will take place at Lake David Park – South at 450 S. Lake Ave., Groveland.

"Our brothers and sisters are under attack," writes Chabad of South Lake County on Facebook. "We do not have to feel helpless, there is something we can do."

The Lake County-based Jewish nonprofit organization is gathering on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 5:30 p.m. for an evening of Tefillah (prayer), Tehilim (Psalms) and Tzedaka (charity) for peace in Israel.

The service will take place at Lake David Park, State Road 50 and North Lake Ave. in Groveland. Visit jewishsl.com for more information.

Israel orders 'siege' of Gaza; Netanyahu calls attacks a 'terrible mistake': Live updates

How to help

National and international organizations that provide assistance to victims in the conflict include the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), which works to provide crucial and life-saving medical relief and humanitarian aid to conflict victims in Gaza. Before the conflict and now, access to essential resources like food, clean water, and healthcare has been severely limited. Visit PCRF.net to learn more. ALLMEP (the Alliance for Middle East Peace) identifies itself as the largest network of Palestinian and Israeli peace-builders. Donate at allmep.org/donate-now.

The Carter Center, founded by President Jimmy Carter and wife, Rosalynn, has also been promoting peace in Israel and Palestine since the 1990s. Donate at cartercenter.org. As always, the International Red Cross provides assistance during crises and has called for an end to the violence between Israel and Palestine. Donate at icrc.org/en/donate.

Doctors Without Borders provides immediate medical aid during humanitarian emergencies. Visit donate.doctorswithoutborders.org

The U.S. Department of State has a coordinating group communicating with U.S. citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing assistance through phone calls and an online form. U.S. citizens seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel can fill out the form or call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Support for victims of Israel conflict