MARBLEHEAD — Hundreds gathered at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Church on Sunday afternoon for an interfaith prayer vigil in solidarity with Israel and Jewish people in response to Hamas’ attack last week.
The ceremony was in partnership with the Marblehead Ministerial Association along with other regional and local advocacy groups, including the Anti-Defamation League’s North Shore Advisory Committee.
Several faith leaders from different congregations in town stood in front of the large crowd, leading them through songs and prayers throughout the vigil. Municipal board and committee members, representatives from the Police and Fire departments, school officials, and state Rep. Jenny Armini, whose district includes Marblehead, were all in attendance.
Rev. Timothy Kelleher of Our Lady, Star of the Sea was one of the many leaders in attendance. After the vigil, he commented on the importance of bringing different faiths and groups together to stand in solidarity with and provide hope to those affected by the attacks.
“Some people mentioned the beauty of the prayer and I said ‘This whole church now is lifted a little bit higher because of the prayer of everybody together,’” Kelleher said.
During the ceremony, ADL North Shore Advisory Committee Co-Chairs Melissa Kaplowitch and Lesley Dever spoke in front of the crowd, encouraging attendees to help create a safer environment for their Jewish friends and family.
Kaplowitch, the granddaughter of two Holocaust survivors, organized the vigil with the help of Board of Health Chair Helaine Hazlett. She gave an emotional speech toward the end of the ceremony, mentioning that her daughter was subject to antisemitic slurs during a trip to New York.
Kaplowitch also mentioned that her son asked her if it was alright for him to wear his Star of David to his high school.
“As a parent, you just want to protect your children,” Kaplowitch said. “I appreciate that everyone here has come together to protect members of this community. Together, we can make one another feel safe.”
“Your Jewish friends are scared. The more you can say ‘Are you Ok? What can I do?,’ we feel a little bit safer,” Kaplowitch added.
Dever condemned the actions of Hamas, while advocating for the community to unite in prayer for Israelis and Jewish people all over the world, including in Marblehead.
“Many of our Jewish friends in our community are hurting and scared,” Dever said. “They are worried about their friends and their family in Israel. Here in Marblehead, kids are afraid to go to school, wary of going to the (Jewish Community Center).”
Select Board Chair Erin Noonan also provided remarks on behalf of the board.
“The Marblehead Select Board acknowledges the tremendous grief and heartache that has impacted Israel and the Jewish community worldwide,” Noonan said. “We condemn the terrorist attack by Hamas on the State of Israel and the intentional and large-scale targeting of civilian non-combatants.”
“We stand in solidarity with our Jewish community and all who have endured the trauma of these atrocities,” Noonan added. “Our hearts are with all of the residents in Marblehead that are affected by this tragedy.”
