Thousands gather in Manhattan to pray for Israel, 
European Jewry
By Melissa Radler
Jerusalem Post

NEW YORK - Black hats mingled with knitted kipot and baseball 
caps on Sunday as more than 50,000 Jews congregated in Lower 
Manhattan for a massive prayer gathering in response to 
the continuing violence in Israel and the rise of anti-Semitism 
in Europe. 

It was organized in 10 days by nine US-based Orthodox groups, 
including the Orthodox Union, the National Council of Young 
Israel, and Agudath Israel of America. Jews of all denominations 
were encouraged to bring their prayer books to the gathering 
and leave signs with political messages at home. 

"The Orthodox organizations saw a need for a religious response 
to parallel the political response that took place in Washington 
last Monday," said David Olivestone, director of communications 
for the Orthodox Union. 

The participants were divided up into women's and men's sections 
in accordance with halacha. They began with the afternoon prayer 
service and then recited eight psalms. 

Most of those present just brought prayer books, but a few 
waved Israeli flags and held banners with the photos of 
victims of terrorism. 

Similar gatherings were organized in several cities throughout 
Canada and the US, making it the largest unified prayer 
recitation ever held, according to the organizers. 

"Being part of a group of thousands of people that are praying 
together makes a metaphysical statement to God that we are 
all united," said Avraham Younger, 39, from Brooklyn. 
Younger said he joined more than 100,000 pro-Israel supporters 
in Washington last Monday. 

Rabbi Aaron Tirschwell, associate executive editor at the 
National Council of Young Israel, described the New York 
gathering as one of several responses Jewish groups are 
pursuing in response to the situation. "Turning to God 
and asking for his divine intervention is one of the major 
responses," he said. 

Another response initiated by Young Israel is a campaign 
to bring Torah scrolls to Israel for use at IDF bases. 

Yesterday, 20 Young Israel leaders arrived in Israel for 
a four-day solidarity mission, during which they plan to 
deliver nine Torah scrolls to the army, for a total of 
30 scrolls donated to the IDF since the start of the 
current conflict.