Upon leaving the theater with her daughter on a seemingly ordinary Saturday evening, Sharon Farber was met with an onslaught of frantic messages. The alerts were from her sister in Israel, detailing how their family had taken refuge in bomb shelters amidst a sudden attack.
The distance felt excruciating. Farber, a renowned film composer and the musical head of Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts felt trapped in an abyss of anxiety, constantly refreshing news feeds and calling loved ones.
Many shared her despair in Los Angeles, where the Jewish community stands as one of the most significant outside of Israel. The weekend, which should have been filled with joyous celebrations for the Simchat Torah holiday, became a sad reflection of the violence thousands of miles away.
By Sunday, reports highlighted the grave extent of the assault, with casualties exceeding 1,100 Israelis and Palestinians. The violence wasn’t just a number for Farber; among the deceased was the child of a dear friend. She lamented, “Such vast devastation in such a compact area means everyone knows someone affected.”
The anticipation of the holiday was disrupted. The usually vibrant streets of the Pico-Robertson area, typically closed for festive celebrations, took on a solemn atmosphere. Rebecca Wizman, a resident, expressed her grief, noting that what was supposed to be the year’s happiest day had been overshadowed by tragedy.
The absence of technology due to holiday observance intensified the angst. Many, including Wizman, awaited the sunset on Sunday with trepidation, dreading the updates they would find once they could access their devices.
Rabbi David Baron from the Beverly Hills Temple drew parallels between the unfolding events and the horrors of 9/11. Conversations with relatives and friends in Israel emphasized the unprecedented magnitude of the assault.
Yossie Ziff’s return to LA from Modi’in in Israel took a tragic turn as news of the attacks reached him. While the synagogue service was a testament to resilience and hope, the atmosphere was tinged with pain and sorrow. Ziff, amidst his tears, was determined to find joy in the holiday.
Yet, not all could find that strength. Nathan Pazooky, a young attendee, voiced the internal struggle many faced, torn between their duty to celebrate and the overwhelming heartache of the current events.
Beyond the Jewish community, the aftershocks of the conflict were palpable. In Anaheim’s Little Arabia, Aref Mohammad’s constant check-ins with his family in Gaza echoed the universal fear for loved ones. Nazeeh, a Palestinian diner, commented on the long-standing conflict, emphasizing the tragedy on both sides.
Reflecting outside the Chabad Persian Youth Center, Jay Israel captured the essence of the collective heartbreak. He grieved for the innocent lives lost, underscoring that in war, the civilians always bear the brunt of leadership decisions.
In times of crisis, communities globally, irrespective of distance, feel a profound sense of unity, empathy, and shared sorrow. The events in Israel were a stark reminder of the fragile nature of peace and the universal desire for harmony.
