About 500 people of varying backgrounds – including three busloads of Shalhevet students – showed up Tuesday for a spirited rally in support of Israel on the third day after Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians, in Southern Israel and took at least 155 more as hostages in Gaza.

The rally, held outside the Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood, was punctuated throughout by honking and shouts of support from cars passing by, as well as frequent cheers of Am Yisrael Chai, “the people of Israel lives.” 

Many carried Israeli and American flags, and many held signs. Slogans including “Israel We Stand With You” and “The Cancer is Iran,” along with images of hostages in Gaza, were some of the most common. Shalhevet students were joined by highschoolers from YULA and other schools as well.

Attendance was optional, but it was highly encouraged.

Shalhevet also provided three buses to take students to the rally, but officials said they were not able to find buses to take students home. So at the end of the morning’s schoolwide kumzitz and directly before leaving for the rally, for safety reasons students were asked to turn on their live location on WhatsApp so administrators could have their location. 

In spite of the tragedy unfolding in Israel, at the rally, the energy was not somber but joyful and lively. Sophomore Hannah Carr said she thought this was because people were happy about the way Jews have come together in light of the war. 

“While Israel is attacked all the time, this is so extreme that I think there is a certain excitement to be derived when we are unified,” said Hannah.

Other Shalhevet students felt that going to the rally would be too emotionally jarring, given the personal ties so many people have in Israel. Junior Tamar Bachar, who moved to Los Angeles from Israel two months ago, felt that people are already being hit with the barrage of information and feelings about the war already being experienced, attending the rally would only make things more difficult.

“It’s all around you, all the time, and sometimes during the day, certain images will pop into your head, and you kind of don’t know how to deal with it,” said Tamar. 

“It’s just so horrifying to think that these things are happening to people you know,” she said. “It’s amazing how all the Jews are coming together, but for me personally, it would be too much for me, because it’s so close to home.”

Other Shalhevet students felt the rally to be a very moving experience. Sophomore Ari Ben-Naim appreciated the way that different kinds of people joined to celebrate and support the Jewish state.

“There was definitely something special and unique to see so many people coming out in support,” said Ari. “I mean, like seven other schools, different rabbis, different students. It’s truly something special. Milken, YULA, Shalhevet, schools I don’t even know the names of, everyone really set aside their differences in Judaism and just came together as something beautiful. ”

Most of the attendees appeared to be Jewish and many wore kippot or skirts, but there were also people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds at the rally.

After welcoming the entire crowd, each speaker specifically welcomed the non-Jews in attendance, to which the crowd responded with loud cheering and support.

Multiple people who were interviewed by the Boiling Point said the responsibility of supporting Israel was not one that applied only to Jews. 

“During these times, when you see anyone supporting acts of terror, no matter what your religion is, where you’re from, it’s sort of disgusting,” said attendee Greg Elbaum. “And it’s important to stand up for Israel and their right to protect their citizens.”

Kate Bransfield, 74, said she was there because of her religion.

“As a Christian, to support the state of Israel, to support the state of Israel’s right to exist, and to support my Jewish brethren – God bless Israel,” Ms. Bransfield.

Others felt being there was important as a member of the community.

Rabbi Nicole Guzik, Senior Rabbi at Sinai Temple, spoke to the crowd and mentioned multiple ways people in America can help support Israel.

“God puts us on this earth to be messengers, beacons of hope and beacons of light, and we will,” said Rabbi Guzik.

“Through our financial resources,” Rabbi Guzik added, going on to list other things Jews could do to help.

“Through sending physicians to the front lines to those in need,” she said. “Through sending supplies to IDF soldiers. Through educating others about the truth of Hamas and their evil agenda. Through our sermons, rabbis. Through our hands, and through our hearts, we will never leave Israel’s side.”

Zach Mahassine, an attendee of the rally, emphasized the importance of not being silent and of taking the opportunity to support causes vocally. 

“We can’t just stand by and let things like that happen. Staying silent is never going to get anything done. So go out and make sure everyone is heard.”

Abigail Yosian, 22, works at StandWithUs, the pro-Israel education and advocacy organization which sponsored the rally.

“I think it’s important to be here not just to condemn the senseless, terrible, disgusting, barbaric terrorist attacks that we’ve seen in Israel in the last couple of days, but it’s important to be here as a Jew,” said Abigail.

“We are here, we will always be here, and we are not Jews with trembling knees. We are Jews that have the ability to fight back, and we will do so.”

Others said Jews have a moral responsibility to stand with victims of terror. 

“As a rabbi in the community, and as a human being, we have to stand with our brothers and sisters, and anybody who suffers at the hands of terrorists,” said Rabbi Sarah Hronsky, who is a rabbi at Temple Beth Hillel in the Valley. “Am Yisrael Chai.”

This story was republished in School Newspapers Online’s Best of SNO on Oct. 18, 2023.