The Jewish Federation of Cleveland hosted a rally for Israel on Oct. 9 in the parking lot of the federation building in Beachwood.

More than 2,000 people attended the rally, held a few days after Hamas, a terrorist organization controlling the Gaza Strip, attacked Israel and killed more than 1,400 civilians.

Among the supporters were the six ShinShinim who are being hosted this year by the Cleveland Jewish community. The ShinShinim program is a gap year for Israelis after high school and before they go to the army. There are many cities in the U.S. that host ShinShinim, and there are also ShinShinim stationed in Israel. Their goal is to meet Jewish teens and educate people about Israel. 

This year the six Cleveland ShinShinim are Noa Rabinovitz, Ella Ohayon, Yonatan Winraob, Danielle Mossinson, Ilan Gottfried and Maya Litchenstein.

“Before getting to Cleveland, everyone told me that Cleveland’s community is like family and that I’ll feel at home very quickly,” Rabinovitz said.

The large showing at the Cleveland rally was very meaningful to the ShinShinim. 

“It’s surprising because at first you don’t know if anyone cares,” Ohayon said. “But after seeing everyone, I understood that everyone there was hurting.”

Not only was it meaningful for the ShinShinim, it was also meaningful for everyone attending. Many Beachwood students attended including seniors Sam Uria and Gabi Golubitzky.

“Seeing so many people come together and support Israel really filled me up with joy,” Uria said. “I saw how many people cared for Israel and it gave me hope.”

At the time of the rally, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland had donated over $1.2 million to help support Israel. Since then, they’ve been raising more money in support. 

According to reporting by Courtney Byrnes for the Cleveland Jewish News, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland has been very generous in response to the crisis in Israel. 

“In just the first week, the campaign has raised over $26.7 million and received a match opportunity of $15 million from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation,” Byrnes wrote.

Advocates say that donating isn’t the only way to support Israel. Winraob explained that spreading awareness is one of the most impactful things that supporters can do.

“We cannot help physically, we cannot fight, but we can raise the awareness of the fact that Israel is at war,” Winraob said. “The best thing you can do is share videos and pictures to show the world what’s really happening.”

Politicians and community leaders spoke at the rally including U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, Rabbis Binyamin Blau from Green Road Synagogue, Yael Dadoun from Temple Teferith Israel and Scott Roland from Shaarey Tikvah. Jewish Federation of Cleveland board members also spoke including Board Chair Dan Zelman,  Lydia Frankel and Sue Borison.

Some talked about supporting israel and donations, some talked about personal stories of friends and family in Israel, and some said prayers for Israel.

“It was like a wake up call,” Rabinovitz said. “We’re in a war, and [the speakers] made it very clear that they stand with Israel. It was amazing.”

Following the speakers, the rally ended with the singing of the Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem. The Hatikvah was sang by the ShinShinim and Shalichim (Israeli adults that are hired to work in the U.S. and teach about Israel). 

“I felt proud to sing it,” Ohayon said. “It was nice seeing the pride of everyone singing our national anthem.”