By Taylor Kelley
News Editor
On Oct.11 at 6p.m., synagogues, houses of worship, and churches from around the South Bay came together in a solidarity event to “Stand with Israel” at the Manhattan Beach Pier.
The event was planned by Rabbi Yossi Mintz, executive director of the Jewish Com- munity Center, and Manhattan Beach City Council member Amy Howorth. According to Rabbi Yossi, he and Howorth brought as many people as they could together within 48 hours. Messages were presented from Howorth, Congressman Ted Lieu, California Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, senior and co- vice president of the Costa Jewish Cultural Club Mia Langstein, Yaalea Rosenfeld, and several others. Prayers were also shared and sung by Rabbi Toba, Rabbi Mendel Mintz, and Journey of Faith pastor Matthew Jensen.
“It was the largest event that we ever put together,” said Rabbi Yossi. “It wasn’t just the Jewish community that came together. There were many, many non-affiliated as well to stand up in solidarity for humanity. On short notice, I didn’t know who was going to come, and we had a tremendous turnout. It brought a lot of comfort and strength.”
According to Rabbi Yossi, the only way to overcome the challenges presented is to unite together. In his 27 years in the South Bay community, this event was Rabbi Yossi’s first time recalling a unification together of all faiths and synagogues.
“This moment is a chance for the South Bay community to come together to stand against evil,” said Howorth in her speech. “There’s power in showing up for others, and that is the power of community. There are people in this crowd whose children are going into the front. There are people in this crowd who have lost family members, lost friends. This does hit home; it hits the whole community.”
Muratsuchi shared a message condemning any terrorism from anyone engaging in the genocide against the Jewish people. On behalf of the California State Assembly, Muratsuchi stood in solidarity with the Jewish community.
“This past Saturday was the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust,” said Congressman Ted Lieu’s chief-of- staff Marc Cevasco. “Hamas is not interested in peace. Hamas is a genocidal, homicidal, religiously fanatical terrorist organization. Hamas intentionally butchered children, wiped out entire families, and beheaded civilians. The entire world has now seen the menu of evil Hamas uses to inflict maximum suffer- ing and terror. There can be no path toward peace until Hamas is disbanded.”
According to Langstein, the younger generation must recognize the changes that need to be made and cannot continue to live in a world full of hate and in- justice, standing by as it contin- ues to spread. Langstein shared in her speech that even though people might feel like the war is on the other side of the world, everyone is connected, and this conflict affects everyone, Jewish or not.
“It is our responsibility to do what we can to positively con- tribute to the world and community around us,” said Langstein in her speech. “We are all connected; this means that a little bit of good can be magnified and have a large impact on all of us. No good deed is too small, so I encourage everyone not to just spread light but radiate it. Just think of what we can accomplish if each and every one of us makes it our mission to do the most good that we possibly can every day.”
According to junior and co-vice president of the Jewish Cultural Club Isaac Faynsod, one way Costa students can help the Jewish community is by simply educating themselves and staying informed on recent events in the world. Another way is to check in on fellow Jewish students who may have family members trapped in the conflict at hand, according to Faynsod.
“For students who may not be fully aware of what is happening in our world right now, we are witnessing terrorism, widespread ignorance, and hatred toward the Jewish community,” said Faynsod. “Disturbingly, we are seeing another potential holocaust unfold as anti-semitism reaches alarming heights. The only way we can combat these atrocities is by creating an open dialogue while educating the uninformed. We must dismantle prejudice as we unite globally and promote peace rather than hate.”
The event concluded with Rabbi Yossi sharing what everyone must do: unite, speak up, and light up the world with goodness and kindness. Children then came to the front to sing the “Oseh Shalom” prayer song with the crowd.
“We’re not alone; we stand to- gether,” said Rabbi Yossi. “This is not just about the Jewish community; this is about humanity because it is about freedom. [Hamas’] goal is to destroy our democracy, our way of life. They want to put terror into us, and unfortunately, it’s successful. Therefore, we just have to eradicate this cancer that exists.”
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