Stand With Israel Solidarity Gathering Set In Mendham

MENDHAM, NJ — The Jewish community is inviting Mendham residents to join them for a vigil on Thursday night in response to the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, officials announced.

The "Solidarity With Israel" gathering is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Brookside Community Club, located at 1 E. Main Street, Mendham Township.

"Let us gather together in support of our brethren in Israel through prayers and acts of kindness," event organizers, the Chabad of Mendham and Chester, said.

The family-friendly event is open to all community members.

More than 800 Israelis and 500 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas launched a large-scale attack across the Gaza-Israel barrier on Saturday, and Israel’s military launched a series of air raids on Gaza in retaliation.

Around 2,700 Palestinians and 2,200 Israelis have been wounded, according to their respective governments. An unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians were also seized by Hamas and taken into Gaza.

Israel formally declared war on Sunday.

One 20-year-old soldier from Bergen County has died in the attacks, relatives have said. A 19-year-old Teaneck native who joined the Israeli Defense Forces is also missing, as is a DJ, 20, from New Jersey who was at the music festival.

Religious groups around the county have been holding vigils and prayer services since the weekend and will continue to do so in order to memorialize the lives lost while raising awareness of the importance of supporting our ally nation in crisis.

Due to the attacks in Israel, the Morris County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies have enhanced patrols of nearby houses of worship.

“I wholeheartedly condemn the terrorist attacks done by Hamas over the weekend. It is inexcusable. I see this as not Jews against Muslims; this is good versus evil. The peace can be found and must be achieved at some point. Evil must be eradicated,” said Commissioner Tayfun Selen.