Colorado Springs Jewish community leaders react to Iranian missile attack on Israel
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Leaders within the Jewish community here in Colorado Springs shared their reactions to Iran's large-scale missile attack against Israel on Monday, saying the continued terror is troubling, but not unexpected.
Iran claiming the attack as retaliation for the death of a top Hezbollah leader, at the hands of Israel last week. Only a few injuries were reported, as the United States and Israeli militaries were able to intercept a vast majority of the ballistic missiles fired by Iran. Israel reported it was the largest attack ever wagered against them as a country.
Rabbi Jay Sherwood of Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, spoke with KRDO13 on Monday, who said that it was disheartening to see the attack come on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish New Year, in addition to the looming one year anniversary of the surprise attack by Hamas that killed more than 1,000 Jewish people people on October 7, 2023.
"Here we are in the same place, almost a year later, and it certainly is troubling, especially at this time of the holidays." said Sherwood.
He says the violence, changes nothing, and at the same time 'everything', about their holiday celebration, which calls upon self-reflection, but also communal reflection about the past year.
"On the other hand, there's another piece hanging over our heads; knowing that a piece of the Jewish community is being held captive in some tunnel underneath Gaza somewhere." said Sherwood about the remaining hostages being held as a part of the ongoing conflict.
Sherwood explained that this attack by Iran is not a surprise, or a 'new face' in the conflict in the Middle East, nor are they the first country or group to start attacking Israel, outside of Hamas.
"On the northern border, another terrorist group oer the past year, they've launched more than 9,000 missiles out of Lebanon toward the north of Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis have been displaced because of what's coming out of Lebanon," said Sherwood, "Now we have coming from the eastern flank, from Iran, missiles [coming]. So terrorists in the south, terrorists in the north, terrorists in the east."
Rabbi Boaz Vituk of the Chabad of Colorado Springs Jewish Community in northern Colorado Springs, says the attacks are nothing new for the Jewish people, and cited their faith as one of the reasons that Israel remains resilient against 'evil' attacks.
"As you can see, many nations try to attack us for 3,500 years, and including today these 180 ballistic missiles. And guess what? Fireworks in the air. God is watching over us." said Vituk, alluding to the work by defense systems to deflect the onslaught by Iran.
However, instead of harping on the violence and ongoing war, Vituk offered a positive message for all residents in the city of Colorado Springs, whether they were Jewish or not.
"I would like to bless each and every person in Colorado Springs. May God bless you. To have a sweet and happy year, may you be blessed with kindness, happiness and joy. May you be healthy, may you be strong, may you be prosperous, may be at peace in your home, may be at peace with your children." Vituk affirmed, ahead of Rosh Hashana beginning on Wednesday.
He added that the Chabad of Colorado Springs remains praying for the safe return of the hostages being held, and that hopefully the war can subside sooner than later.
"There will be impurity in this world and there will be wickedness in this world. And until God remove[s] the impurity from this world, we'll be fighting evil, and we have to do our part to increase in good deeds of charity and kindness and unity and love." added Vituk.
Rosh Hashana takes place Wednesday evening, October 2, through the evening of Friday, October 4. Yom Kippur, another Jewish holiday follows next week, beginning on Saturday, October 12.
