When the IDF assassinated Hamas mastermind Ahmed Jabari on November 14th, frenzied Gaza rocket fire on Israel increased exponentially. Since the start of Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense, over 600 rockets have rained down on Israeli territories.
The escalating violence and continuous missile fire from Gaza on Israeli citizens prompted the Jewish world to respond passionately. Rallies were held in major cities; frantic calls were made to loved ones in Israel; at Stern College for Women, two undergraduate students co-organized a mass Tehillim gathering on the evening of November 15 that joined together approximately two hundred college students from NYC campuses.
At 10:45 pm, crowds of Jewish students gathered at the foot of the red TKTS staircase in the center of Duffy Square in Manhattan, as student leaders stood to lead the recitation of the traditional psalms said in times of supplication to G-d. Student leaders gratefully acknowledged the efforts of the New York Police Department for providing security throughout the event.
Between the chanting of Tehllim chapters, students gave brief speeches, offered divrei Torah, and led prayers for the welfare of Israel. Speakers, including Margot Reinstein, SCW ’13, Joshua Joseph Freundel, YC senior, and former YC chayalim Josh Siegel and Ari Platt, delivered words of encouragement and chizuk to the energized audience.“They say the Israeli army is 200,000 strong. But I disagree with them—I think we’re 12 million plus,” said former chayal Daniel Landesman, YC’ 13, referring to the strong solidarity and support system Israel has received from many sympathizers.
Students united together from Yeshiva University, New York University, Columbia, Barnard, Brooklyn College, and Queens College to participate in the Tehillim gathering-turned-rally. Clusters of passersby stopped and watched the scene. Costa Rican tourist Orontes Castillo explained that although he was not Jewish, he stayed to watch the entire event, which lasted until about one in the morning. Margot Reinstein (SCW), Blanche Haddad (SCW), and Joseph Katz (NYU) were among a committee of Jewish college campus leaders who organized the gathering. Others, like Danielle Reich, (Jewish Theological Seminary), Josh Fink (YC), Ilana Barta (CUNY Queens), Aliza Ben-Arie (NYU), Nikki Press (Barnard), and Adam Rosenberg (YC) helped spread the word.
Margot Reinstein, President of SCW Torah Affairs Committee, explained the rationale behind the Tehillim gathering. “Time after time, when the Jewish people are in distress, they turn to G-d. They turn to G-d in prayer and in song, and that’s exactly what we did.”
As the circle grew larger, news cameras hovered over the scene. Students unanimously began singing slow Hebrew songs, and after a few Israeli-flag-blazoning students broke in with “Am Yisrael Chai,” circles of spirited dancing ensued.
Afterwards, Reinstein dispelled notions that the well-attended event was affiliated with some larger organization. “We’re just a bunch a college students with a shared vision who took action when we knew the Jewish people needed us. It’s times like these when we need to realize that we don’t need to wait for others to tell us what to do–we have the power and passion to get things done ourselves,” she said.
“It was a good mix of prayer and song,” agreed YC sophomore Gavriel Brown after the event. “But there was something discordant about the dancing—about the idea of dancing while destruction is still happening in Israel’s bomb shelters,” he added.
Taking advantage of their vast social networks, student leaders publicized the Tehillim gathering via word of mouth, Facebook, and urgent flyers posted around campuses—in under twenty-four hours. Blanche Haddad described her intentions for participating in the organization of the event. “By bringing everyone together in the center of Manhattan, it was our opportunity to act on our feelings of unity towards Israel and show our support.”
Barnard representative Danielle Reich agreed. “Having a whole group of students come together in solidarity for such an important cause—which is so close to everyone’s hearts—is so amazing.” She also added that “aside from being an act of support for Israel, it’s also a real source of comfort to know that you have this whole community of people where everyone is standing by Israel together.”