Thousands pack Michigan synagogue to support Israel as Whitmer rallies crowd

Thousands of Jewish Michiganders and several elected officials that included Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rallied inside a historic synagogue Monday night in Southfield to declare they stand with Israel after it faced one of the deadliest attacks in its history.

"Let's say very plainly a few fundamental truths," Whitmer said on stage to 2,500 people at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, the oldest and largest Conservative denomination synagogue in Michigan. "We here in Michigan condemn this vile act of terrorism. We stand with Israel. And Israel has a right to defend itself."

Her remarks drew loud applause and a standing ovation from the audience that attended the 80-minute rally featuring a wide range of other elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, U.S. House Reps. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, and Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Gil Gilchrist, several state legislators and local politicians.

Near the end of the rally, Benson led a line of elected officials and Jewish leaders that held hands together and strode down the aisle while singing and dancing in celebration of Israel chanting "Am Yisrael Chai," a Hebrew phrase that means: "The people of Israel lives." In front were three large displays that read "Detroit Israel we stand together" and some waved or wrapped themselves in Israeli flags.

The rally was a show of solidarity and political force tempered with sadness a couple of days after what some have said was the deadliest one-day attack against Jews since the Holocaust and the worst military losses inside Israel in half a century, with about 900 killed. The event featured the singing of the American and Israeli anthems, speeches by Jewish clerics that included religious references to past struggles of Jews and remarks from Democratic politicians who made it clear they stand strongly with Israel against Hamas.

Rallies opposing the Israeli government and in support of Palestinians were planned for Tuesday evening and Saturday in Dearborn, with more than 800 Palestinians killed after Israeli strikes in Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities. Arab American advocates have expressed concern about the retaliatory attacks affecting civilians.

Standing in front of the flags of the United States and Israel, Lior Zisser-Yogev, of Bloomfield Hills, spoke while holding back tears as she announced to gasps from the crowd that her 27-year-old brother serving in Israel's military, Eli Zisser, was killed while battling Hamas fighters. Zisser-Yogev, who used to live in Israel, had spoken Sunday to the Free Press about her worries for her parents, brother and friends still living there. On Monday, her fears were realized when she learned her brother, who once attended a summer camp in Michigan, was dead after taking part in an operation to free hostages in Kibbutz Kfar Aza.

"He was called to his unit on Saturday morning at the brink of war," Zisser-Yogev said to the crowd at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. "We hadn't heard from him ... but his wife told me and my parents were calm. They said, if we haven't heard anything, it means there's nothing to report. He spent the last 10 years in military service. He's a skilled fighter, officer and commander."

Because he had returned safely from previous battles, the family assumed he would be OK this time, too, "but we were wrong," she said.

"On Saturday morning, he led his team in an operation," she said. "He was attempting to rescue families and civilians held captive by terrorists. He was hit and killed, along with other soldiers. ... As of last night, our forces were struggling to evacuate civilians and to locate all the soldiers who fell in the battle to liberate the kibbutz. That is why only today, they managed to identify my brother and to inform the family two days after he was killed."

More: Michigan's Jewish community in 'state of shock' over attack on Israel

"He loved this community," Zisser-Yogev said of her brother's memories of attending camp in Michigan. "He couldn't be happier for us when we moved here two months ago. He was planning to come visit. He was only 27. He got married less than three years ago. He and his wife, now his widow, were starting to build a home. He was supposed to go to college next year. He wanted to be an engineer. His whole life was ahead of him and now he's gone."

Zisser-Yogev said she's trying now to travel to Israel for the funeral and to support her family members.

During the rally, others relayed testimonials that included video recordings of Israelis who thanked the Jewish community in the U.S. for their support. Metro Detroit's Jewish community has one of the highest percentages of people who feel very close to Israel among Jewish communities in the U.S., according to the Detroit Area Jewish Population Study.

The Michigan Board of Rabbis also addressed the audience and Christian leaders from local churches were in the crowd.

"I'm a longtime supporter of Israel and the Jewish people," said the Rev. Kenneth Flowers, pastor of Greater New Moriah Baptist Church in Detroit, who has visited Israel nine times, including the area where Hamas fighters entered. "Hamas is a terrorist organization. What happened on Saturday morning was a terrorist attack just like 9/11 by al-Qaida. We can not sit idly by and allow terrorism to win. As a Christian minister, as a Black pastor, we must continue to let the world know that we stand with Israel."

Catholic leaders in the Archdiocese of Detroit are also offering support to southeastern Michigan's Jewish communities, sending a letter to local rabbis and Jewish leaders.

"We want to express our shock and sadness at the news that Israel was under attack by Hamas," read a letter sent by Msgr. John Kasza, ecumenical officer with the archdiocese, and David Conrad, coordinator for ecumenical affairs. "The Holy Land is sacred not only to the Jewish people, but to Christians and Muslims as well. All people of faith should condemn this aggression and challenge leaders to continue to work for peace. ... We especially pray for those who have died or were wounded commending them to the mercy of Adonai. May El-Shaddai continue to bless the people of Israel and give them strength during this time of trial."

Dr. Yahya Basha, a longtime leader in Michigan's Muslim and Arab American communities, said "we need to condemn violence and mass killings."

Speakers at the rally framed the conflict as an existential battle against what they said were evil forces.

"Tonight, in the face of unimaginable horror, we declare unequivocally: Detroit stands with Israel," Steve Ingber, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, told the crowd. "Our brothers and sisters are facing a nightmare of historic proportions. ... Our hearts break for the victims and their families."

Ingber said the community has raised $1.5 million over the past 24 hours to help victims of Hamas' attack. The community hopes to raise about $5 million.

Whitmer spoke in detail about Hamas' attack during her remarks, noting she visited Israel in 2019 after becoming governor, her first trip abroad. She and others mentioned the attack on a dance music festival in Israel where more than 250 were killed, according to reports.

"It's a beautiful place ... a beacon that stands for the values that we all hold dear, freedom and democracy," Whitmer said. "Seeing it turn into a battleground was devastating. And like so many of you, I was especially horrified by scenes from the desert music festival where over 250 innocent young people were hunted down in cold blood. Those attending it were Israel's future, young people."

Whitmer sparked some criticism from Republicans and some Democrats for her initial tweet posted at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday that was seen as vague because it did not mention Israel. She later posted another tweet about three hours specifically condemning the attack and mentioning Israel.

Dennis Bernard, president of the United Jewish Foundation of Metro Detroit, said Whitmer called him on the phone Saturday morning to talk about the attack on Israel "almost with her voice breaking to say, 'Oh my God, I can't believe the barbarianism of what's happening. Please, how can I help.' I spoke to her several times on Saturday, where she pledged whatever it took, she would support and stand with Israel and with our Jewish community here in Detroit."

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, struck a similar tone in his remarks, receiving loud applause several times as he spoke about supporting and funding Israel.

“Israel has an absolute right to defend itself,” Peters said, his voice rising as he spoke. "However long it takes, we will be there."

Peters also spoke about the security concerns of Jewish communities, talking about how he has helped secure federal money for houses of worship to help protect themselves.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said on X: "In cities across the country, local and federal law enforcement partners are closely monitoring for any domestic threats in connection with the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel."

Biden added that Hamas' attack "is not some distant tragedy — the ties between Israel and the United States run deep. It is personal for so many American families who are feeling the pain of this attack as well as the scars inflicted through millennia of antisemitism and persecution of Jewish people."

Ingber said "these are human beings, not numbers."

Congregation Shaarey Zedek and other Jewish centers in Michigan have hosted similar events over the years during conflicts with Israel.

Don Cohen, of West Bloomfield, who attended the rally, said he was inspired by the testimonies of Israelis.

"The testimonials were heartbreaking, but also remarkable for the courage and commitment of our Israeli brothers and sisters," Cohen said after the rally. "After listening to Israelis ... who have lost loved ones or are leaving their families to head to the battlefield ... I left with more hope that Israel will get through this."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com, Facebook.com/nwarikoo, X @nwarikoo.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joins thousands in rally for Israel in Southfield