On Saturday, Oct. 7, Hamas fighters breached Israel’s borders by sea, land and air, occupied more than 20 Israeli communities, murdered hundreds, killing children in their homes and young people at a music festival, and wounded thousands of Israeli citizens. Militants also kidnapped some 150 Israeli men, women and children as hostages and dragged them into Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared to the world, “Israel is at war.”

On Sunday,  Oct. 8, Rabbi Gadi was one of the first Jewish leaders to step forward and lead a special service to mourn the victims and pray for peace, an inspiring response appreciated by our shul.

From a choice of many early photos, The Shofar has chosen these two photos  to tell the story.

An Israeli soldier prays in front of an IDF (Israeli Defense Force) tank on the outskirts of Kiryat Shmona, a northern town near the border with Lebanon.

Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images

Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon in southern Israel.

Photo provided by CNN