Over 600 people came together in Calabasas Thursday night for a Community Solidarity Night for Israel.
The event at the Civic Center was organized by David Shapiro and Alicia Weintraub in response to a huge community outpouring of need to respond to the hostilities. “We stand with Israel and its right to defend its country and its people. We felt a need to bring the community together and find a safe space for everyone to pray for peace,” the two said.
The evening started with the singing “Sing O Say Shalom,” led by Rabbi Schaffer of Hamakom, and then a variety of speakers gave short talks, including Rabbi Kipnes from Congregation Or Ami, Rabbi Vogel from Hamakom, Reverend Dr. Ross Porter from West Hills Anglican Church Rick Caruso, owner of The Commons, Rabbi Friedman of Chabad of Calabasas, Sassy Rueven, a former Israeli Commander who led the Raid on Entebbe, Auna Simon, a Calabasas resident whose has children in Israel, Negin Ghaffari, Calabasas Citizen of the Year, Captain Jen Seetoo of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, Rabbi Vann of Calabasas Shul and Rabbi Li-Paz from Valley Outreach Synagogue.
The evening ended with the assemblage singing “Hatikvah,” the national anthem of Israel.
