A desire to demonstrate support for Israel drew an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 people Tuesday night to the City Springs complex in Sandy Springs.
They held signs that read, “Atlanta Stand with Israel,” waved small Israeli flags, and wore stickers proclaiming, “My Heart is with Israel.” The nearly 1,100-seat Byers Theatre and 400-seat Studio Theatre were packed, and the city fire marshal’s office estimated that another 2,000 to 2,500 people watched the event on a screen on the lawn outside. Upwards of 1,000 watched the event online.
Eric Robbins ©Ellis Vener /Special for Atlanta Jewish Times
“I hate that we have to gather like this, but I love that I have all of you to gather with,” Eric Robbins, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, said as he welcomed those indoors and outdoors.
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The politicians in attendance, from the state, county, and municipal levels, gathered on stage to lead singing of the United States national anthem. The Israeli national anthem, “Hatikvah,” was led by Jewish religious and communal leaders.
A connection between the Jewish community of Atlanta and Israel was the theme of remarks by Rabbi Daniel Dorsch, senior rabbi of Congregation Etz Chaim. “We say tonight, as allies, you are not alone and from here, 6,000 miles away, we see your pain,” said Dorsch, who also is president of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association. “We share with you in your grief, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with you in your moment and time of need.”
The loudest and most sustained applause of the evening came in response to Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul’s declaration that, in response to the Hamas attacks,
Mayor Rusty Paul ©Ellis Vener /Special for Atlanta Jewish Times
“Israel must do what Israel must do.”
Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock each provided a video.
“We condemned…
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