Community organizations across Las Vegas have been gathering donations to support Israel after it was attacked Saturday by Palestinian militants in a surprise invasion.
Members of Hamas, which oversees military and social services in the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, launched a surprise offensive in Israeli residential areas that saw hundreds killed, thousands injured and scores kidnapped and brought back to Gaza where the condition of many remains unknown.
Officials with Jewish Nevada and the Las Vegas chapter of the Israeli American Council have launched a pair of fundraising websites with proceeds benefiting ongoing relief efforts.
Megan Weintraub, chief philanthropy officer at Jewish Nevada, said 100% of all proceeds from the group’s “We Stand with Israel” fund will go toward strategic partners in Israel for trauma relief, defense aid and information campaigns to encourage public officials to commit additional resources to Israel.
The group already has raised more than $100,000 in two days, she said.
“Jewish Nevada stands with Israel in their right to defend itself and its citizens. And we will do everything we can to support the people of Israel and pray for peace in the region,” she said.
That’s in addition to a separate “Support Israel” fund being circulated by the Israeli American Council, with all proceeds benefiting hospitals in southern Israel, humanitarian and first aid responses, media advocacy efforts and military support.
More than 1,500 people on both sides have been killed between the weekend attack, which came during the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret, and retaliatory airstrikes as of Monday, according to official tallies.
Launch of the fundraising initiative comes as advocates and community leaders in Nevada came out to show support in communal gatherings Sunday and Monday, with other events likely planned for later in the week, said Ofra Etzion, regional director of Israeli American Council Las Vegas.
“When we heard the news about what’s happening in Israel, all of the Israeli-American community … just wanted to do something,” said Etzion, who was born in Israel and whose 20-year-old daughter (despite being a Las Vegas native) is serving in the Israeli military.
“The community could not sit down at home anymore and watch the news,” Etzion continued. “We want to spread the word to everyone. We want people to know what happened in Israel and not hide behind statements.”
Upwards of 400 supporters gathered Sunday evening, by Etzion’s estimates, to sing songs and voice Israeli support outside the Venetian.
“During tough times, this is exactly what you need — a community,” Etzion said. “We all felt the need to be out there.”
On Monday, U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., a founding member of the Congressional Abraham Accords Caucus to help Israel normalize diplomatic ties with neighboring Arab nations, attended another community gathering, this one at Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas.
The former president of Congregation Ner Tamid synagogue in Henderson, Rosen called for bipartisan support for Israeli aid.
“I don’t need to tell anyone here how special the U.S.-Israel relationship is — as your senator, I stand steadfast in making sure it remains strong,” Rosen said Monday evening. “I will lead the charge in Congress to make sure America’s support of Israel remains unwavering and unconditional.
“In Israel’s darkest hour, we’ll provide it with the support it needs to protect its people, reunite families, rescue those who are being held captive and hold Hamas accountable for the atrocities they’ve committed,” Rosen continued. “Israel is our partner, our friend, our ally, and right now, Israel needs our help. This is a moment for decisive action, not politics. We must speak with one voice and send a clear message to the rest of the world: The United States stands with the people of Israel. We support Israel’s absolute right to defend itself. And we call on Hamas to free the hostages and return them to their families immediately.”
Gov. Joe Lombardo was also part of the community event at Temple Beth Sholom, saying that “In the face of this devastation, we must come together — now more than ever — and stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and the state of Israel.”
He continued, “As your governor, I fully support Israel, and I will always fight to ensure the safety and security of Jewish Nevadans.”
Hillel Las Vegas will have a support group at UNLV’s Student Union from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday so students can “share your thoughts and feelings” about the ongoing situation in Israel, according to a post Sunday from the group’s Instagram.
That’s in addition to a candlelight vigil scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Valerie Pida Plaza, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., to “acknowledge those who have fallen in the war,” according to an event flier. That event is being organized by Israeli American Council Las Vegas, Hillel Las Vegas, as well as Students Supporting Israel, and others.
“We keep getting news about the people we know, about family members — so it’s a very tough time for the community,” Etzion said. “I think getting together in a rally has really helped people do something.”
