Rallying for Israel in the DMV During the Yom Kippur War

The following is an article that I wrote, which appeared in the October 10, 2024, edition of the Washington Jewish Week:

As we mark one year since Oct. 7 and recall the tragic events that took place last Simchat Torah as Hamas terrorists attacked Israel and left a trail of destruction and devastation in their wake, we cannot help but think back to an event that took place 51 years ago when another Jewish holiday was marked by the start of an intense war with Israel’s Arab neighbors.

In this month’s installment of “Remember When,” we look back at our issue from the week of Oct. 11-17, 1973.

On Oct. 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria led a coalition of Arab nations that launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Israel fought back, and a cease-fire agreement was reached several weeks later, thereby ending the fighting for the time being.

Our coverage of the Yom Kippur War included a number of stories relating to how people with ties to the DMV Jewish community were feeling and how they responded to the attack on Israel.

Alfred Groner, a former Washingtonian, offered his thoughts and perspectives from Israel through a narrative that enabled readers to feel as if they too were in Israel experiencing what Groner and others in the Jewish state were feeling at the time.

“Yom Kippur. It is a cool, bright day. Suddenly the rising and falling whine of the sirens. A few minutes later, we turn on the radio. The Voice of Israel on Yom Kippur. With a fist around our hearts we hear the Syrians and Egyptians have attacked. A full-scale massive offensive along the entire length of the cease-fire lines. Egged buses appear. The drivers careen down the streets, occasionally counter the one-way. Cares and small trucks go by in ever-larger numbers. Many of the drivers are wearing their green battle uniforms. Classical music over the radio, broken by announcements every ten minutes. Army radio cuts in. The characteristic buzz. Then the code for the units’ call ups.”

Among the other articles in that issue related to the Yom Kippur War was a story about an emergency meeting of leaders in the Greater Washington Jewish community in which a goal was set to raise $4 million to help Israel during what was a very trying time. Another article reported on “a tense and emotional rally” at Ohr Kodesh Congregation in Chevy Chase, where thousands of people gathered in support of the Jewish state.

A half-century later, as Israel is still defending itself against existential threats, the DMV Jewish community is still standing strongly and proudly with Israel in its time of need.