Photo Story: Students and community members attend rally to support Israel and the Jewish community

Hannah Schuh

Community members and students met at Speaker’s Circle on Monday, Oct. 9 to gather in solidarity with Jewish people affected by the conflict in Israel

The rally consisted of speakers, such as Rabbi Avraham Lapine and MU students, prayers and committing to mitzvahs. “We have to speak up for Israel,” said sophomore Ilay Kielmanowicz.

A speaker wearing a yarmulke and the flag of Israel stands in front of a crowd, some holding signs, most saying “We [heart] Israel” with one saying “Israel wants peace! Hamas wants war!”

Students watch as sophomore Ilay Kielmanowicz, Vice President of Students Supporting Israel’s MU chapter, addresses the crowd on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at Speaker’s Circle in Columbia.

A man wearing a yarmulke shields the sun from his eyes with his hand while looking over a crowd of people. Rabbi Avraham Lapine addresses the crowd at the beginning of the rally. Lapine said that the goal of the rally was to “come together when tragedy strikes to support each other.”

Students look at booklets of prayers written in Yiddish with an English translation. Students read off booklets of prayers, provided by the rally leaders. Prayers were said as a group, led by Rabbi Avraham Lapine and other speakers.

A yarmulke reading “Chabad Mizzou” sits next to tefillin and prayer booklets. Rabbi Avraham Levine offered another opportunity to put on tefillin to connect with God during the rally.

A woman reaches out to hug a girl. Channy Lapine offers a hug to a student while handing out mitzvahs to rally members. Those who filled out a mitzvah would commit to different spiritual deeds like Tefillin, lighting Shabbat candles or an act of kindness.

A close-up of hands holding up a necklace with a Star of David symbol. Freshman Eliana Field shows her necklace of the Star of David. Field said that “all of [her] family” was in Israel.

A student holds a poster stating, “I Stand With Israel.” Many students stayed after the rally to talk, while some moved on downtown to meet up with another community gathering.

A man with tefillin wrapped around his arm and head recites blessings with another man. Junior Kyle Spiesz and Rabbi Avraham Lapine recite blessings as Spiesz puts on tefillin at the end of the rally. Spiesz was one of many to put on tefillin with Lapine.

A young boy sits and holds a flag of Israel. Levi Lapine, 4, plays with an Israeli flag and bracelet at the end of the rally. Flags were handed out to those who attended the rally to show support.

The Maneater aims to portray the Israel-Palestine conflict holistically by emphasizing student response through our coverage. As a newsroom, we strive to platform student voices and emphasize the impact of this international conflict on our campus. To do so, The Maneater maintains editorial discretion over the selection of text, photographs and the distribution of published content to ensure the conflict most prominently emphasizes the student voice.

Edited by The Maneater Editorial Board | editors@themaneater.com