Jewish United Fund hosts Israel solidarity gathering in Chicago area
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Communities across the Chicago area are showing support for Israel.
The Jewish United Fund hosted an event at a Glencoe synagogue in solidarity with Israel as the country entered day three of this war.
Participants chanted "Am Yisrael chai," which means "The people of Israel live." There was a call for peace and prayer for safety and the return of a safe haven for the Jewish people.
"We gather here to mourn the murder, support the injured and abducted and raise up those fighting for peace and security. We are here to send a message across Chicago across the nation and the globe that Chicago stands with Israel today, tomorrow and always, JUF Board of Directors Wendy Berger said.
CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey spoke with the family of a 23-year-old man who was taken hostage while attending the open-air Nova Music Festival on Saturday. They were joined by a large group of community members and many local leaders who pledged to get him back and support Israel in the war.
"We stand with Israel, and our next thing is for everyone to reach out to their politicians, their congressmen, the White House, and the State Department everywhere in our government outside of the U.S. to do everything they can to get my nephew Hersh Golberg-Polin and the other hostages out of there," said Abby Polin.
The family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin live in the Evanston and Skokie area and attended the solidarity gathering to thank their community for their messages of support. His parents said they moved with Hersh to Israel in 2008. They were told that his arm was severed at the elbow when he was taken hostage, but they believe he is still alive.
They said they received two short texts from him that night: "I love you" and "I'm sorry."
"We are getting our strength from everyone here at the JUF solidarity rally," Abby Polin said.
Gov. JB Pritzker said state police and law enforcement across Illinois are on alert to protect synagogues and gathering places for Jewish residents. He reiterated on Tuesday that there is no immediate threat that the FBI or law enforcement have detected.
"Let me be clear, there are many peace-loving Palestinians and we must honor them," Pritzker said. "But Hamas, Hamas is a terrorist organization, an army of murderers backed by Iran."
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D), one of 25 Jewish members of Congress, also announced at the event that a bipartisan resolution to provide support to Israel was introduced in the House of Representatives with more than 300 co-sponsors.
"We will continue to connect them with the State Department and the White House," Schneider said. "I'll continue to advocate to the White House to do everything we can to make sure we bring everyone home to safety."
Schneider also said he is introducing legislation calling for $2 billion to be made available to Israel to replenish its Iron Dome defense system.
The money raised at the solidarity gathering will go directly to families impacted by the terror attacks through an emergency fund.
