Sacramento-area supporters of Israel gather to pray and wage ‘spiritual war’ amid conflict

Under steady rain and a gloomy sky, about a hundred people gathered Tuesday evening outside a Jewish school in Granite Bay. In Hebrew and English they heard scripture wishing for the Lord to send help and support during moments of trouble.

“God is with us at all times,” said Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum, one of the organizers of the event.

Thousands of miles away from the erupting conflict in the Middle East, Grossbaum spoke of a “spiritual war” that he and other rabbis were trying to wage by bringing together supporters of Israel in the Sacramento area.

“Each one of us has the ability to contribute and to engage in the effort to be victorious over the forces of evil and darkness in this world,” said the rabbi, who leads the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Folsom.

Grossbaum was referring to recent attacks by Hamas militants, which have resulted in the death of more than 900 Israelis, according to the country’s military. Dozens of people, including children, were also abducted by the group, which governs the Gaza Strip area, and are being held hostage. Hamas, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization, has threatened executions.

Israel has waged its own military attacks in response, leading to the death of at least 1,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Basim Elkarra, who leads the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ efforts in the Sacramento Valley, did not attend Tuesday’s event. But in a phone interview after it, he condemned the killing of civilians on either side of the conflict.

Beyond that, he pointed to what he believes is the root cause of the latest fighting: “the ongoing occupation and the daily killing and humiliation of the Palestinian people.”

Unfortunately, he said, United States officials have strayed away from supporting separate states for Israelis and Palestinians to try and resolve long-running tensions.

“If people really care about Israel they would really push them to end the occupation and bring justice to all people in that land,” Elkarra said.

At the event, there was no talk of Israeli occupation or the possibility of a two-state solution. The focus was on prayer and support for people in Israel as well as the local community.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, is one of the politicians who addressed the crowd. He did so from Washington, D.C. via a video call.

“I believe it is vitally important that America stand united and offer unified and bipartisan support for Israel going forward,” Kiley told the supporters, many of whom clutched Israeli flags along with umbrellas.

Earlier in the day, President Joe Biden offered a similar message during a speech: “We stand with Israel.”

Those and other comments from Biden brought tears to Nir Peled’s eyes. So moved, the native of Israel bought an American flag, which he set up in the front of his home.

Peled’s wife, Jerami Shecter, said in that moment her husband told her: “I’ve never been more proud to be an American citizen.”

Since the weekend, the Granite Bay couple had spent sleepless nights as they tried to follow the fighting and keep in touch with family and friends. Shecter said they showed up Tuesday because: “We needed to hear the prayers.”

Amid the death and fighting, and possibility of a protracted war, rabbis preached the importance of remaining positive.

“Today, more than ever, we must ask: What can I do?” said Rabbi Yossi Korik, of Chabad of Placer County. “There is no time for despair.”

It was a message echoed by Limor Bitterman, of West Roseville. She was one of a group of supporters who led an impromptu singing of Israel’s national anthem at the end of the event.

“We need people not to be down,” she said, clutching an Israeli flag draped over her shoulders.

Bitterman said getting together with others, to pray and support her native country, helped her. And it showed people in Israel they are not alone.

“They tried to break our spirit,” she said. “That’s why we need to stand together.”

In the background, while Bitterman spoke, the setting sun broke through the clouds.