Thousands participated in a march for solidarity with Israel on Sunday, October 15, organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and the Metrowest Israel Action Committee. The march began at Suburban Torah on WestMt. Pleasant Avenue, before culminating with a rally at the Oval. Organizers estimated that a crowd of 5,000 people attended the event.
Speakers included Rabbi Simeon Cohen of Temple Beth Shalom, president of the Livingston Clergy Association; Dov Ben Shimon, executive vice president of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ; Moshe Glick, an organizer of the event; andMayor Michael Vieira.
“We are a town of many different nationalities, many cultures, religions, and beliefs. But it has been proven that when anyone in our community is attacked, we come together as one community who supports and comforts those affected,” Mayor Vieira said. “The Livingston community is here for all of us and all of you. We are one community, and we will not let hate win. We denounce anti-Semitism here in the United States and abroad. We will not let terrorism prevail.”
In all, representatives of roughly 45 Jewish and other religious and ethnic groups attended the rally. Participating religious and community organizations from the Livingston area included Temple Beth Shalom, Temple B’nai Abraham, Temple B’nai Jeshurun, Etz Chaim, Friendship Circle, Full Gospel Church, the Livingston Chinese Association, Suburban Torah, the Livingston Presbyterian Church, and the Livingston Christian Evangelical Church.
Rabbi Cohen called the “profound love for Israel” within the Livingston community a beacon of hope during a dark moment in the country’s history.
