SAN ANGELO, Texas — On Oct. 7, Palestine-based militant group Hamas attacked Israeli communities in a southern area of the country known as the Gaza Strip.
Since then, more than 1,000 victims have been pronounced dead and Israel has declared war on the Hamas organization.
The recent war has felt affects across the world, including in the United States, where Jewish communities are left to grieve the battle in the Holy Land.
San Angelo synagogue Congregation Beth Israel organized a prayer service and vigil Oct. 11 to honor the Israeli community with speakers, song and a memorial (Yahrzeit) candlelight ceremony.
"I wanted to show solidarity and support for our Jewish community because I know that even though we are not in Israel, that they are hurting," Wall High School dual credit English teacher Elizabeth So'Relle said.
So'Relle was one of the evening's speakers, presenting a letter to the crowded synagogue sharing her personal story of a recent visit to Israel.
"Israel is more than a location. It is a safe space, a home land, a deep sigh of relief for the Jewish people," she said during her speech. "It is a place where Jews finally belong and that where they are free to live out loud...and this understanding is tangible."
Throughout the evening, readings were shared and songs were sung, including hymns like "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav" and "Hatikvah," the Israeli national anthem.
Personal stories of family members in Israel were also read aloud to the crowd as tears were shed following harrowing details.
So'Relle noted Israel is comparable to the size of New Jersey and she shared her concerns for the Jewish community.
"And so I've been worried and just, I want people in the United States to understand what this means to the Jewish people. Like, their one place of being able to be safe, where they don't have to experience antisemitism, they can freely worship out as they need to, want to and that has been damaged since Saturday," she said. "They don't feel safe anymore."
Following the community prayer service, attendees stood outside the synagogue, conversing with one another and creating a space of support in a time of uncertainty.
"I'm so grateful for the people who showed up tonight. I feel like it's so important that they understand they we love them and we stand beside them. We are upstanders in this and we let other people know that the Jewish people are hurting and we need to be there for them," So'Relle said.
Go to ShalomSanAngelo to learn more about Congregation Beth Israel, located at 1825 W. Beauregard Ave.