Severe Trauma Grips Portland Community as Middle East Conflict Hits Close to Home
The latest eruption of conflict in the Middle East has sent shockwaves across the globe, with the impact even reverberating in the local communities of Portland, Oregon. As loved ones of those living thousands of miles away find themselves trapped in the path of destruction, the trauma and heartache are palpable.
Bob Horenstein, the Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, expressed this devastating reality. We’re a bit traumatized, we’re still I think a bit in shock, he stated. For Horenstein and his wife, who hails from Israel, the situation hits particularly close to home. The couple is intimately acquainted with the consequences of the conflict, having known a young girl who tragically lost her life. She was a kindergartener at our Portland Jewish Academy, Horenstein disclosed. She moved out, but she was murdered yesterday or the day before, 22 years old.
In an attempt to find solace and solidarity during these trying times, locals gathered at Neveh Shalom for a unity event on Monday evening. Horenstein emphasized the significance of coming together to provide comfort and support to one another, as everyone grapples with the same anguish and uncertainty.
While the conflict predominantly involves Israel and Hamas, Seemab Hussaini, founder of the Pacific Northwest Justice Group, which focuses on immigrant and refugee rights, including Arab and Muslim communities, emphasizes the need for compassion for innocent lives lost. Regardless of their heritage, Hussaini believes that all individuals aspire for similar freedoms, equality, and a better future. They’re all fairly typical people like you and I who strive for the same freedoms, access, health, needs, and ask for a future, and work towards it. Just like anybody else, Hussaini stated passionately.
Amid the despair, hope prevails among Portland’s residents. Prayers are uttered, and hope is clung to fiercely, as they continue to persevere and yearn for peace and healing. Horenstein affirms, We’re praying, we’re hoping. We can’t give up hope either. In recognition of the dire circumstances faced by Israelis, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland has set up an emergency fund to provide assistance during these challenging times.
As the conflict unfolds and the death toll rises, the people of Portland stand united in their call for an end to the violence. They embrace diverse perspectives, recognizing that condoning attacks on any side only perpetuates suffering and hinders the pursuit of a peaceful future. The pain felt in this close-knit community echoes the global sentiment, reminding us all of the urgent need for empathy and a collective commitment to a brighter tomorrow.
