Large Crowd In West Hartford Discusses Israel's War With Hamas

Grassroots Jewish Women of CT

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A newly formed West Hartford-based Jewish organization recently hosted a large forum that tackled the difficult topic of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.

A crowd of nearly 200 community members gathered for an event hosted by the Grassroots Jewish Women of Connecticut, “Partnering 2Gether,” on Thursday, May 30, at the Mandell Jewish Community Center in West Hartford.

GJWC is a group of Jewish volunteer women who have come together since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack to show support for Israel and the hostages, to fight antisemitism, and to support each other.

The goal of the evening was to educate and dispel misconceptions to the broader community.

Jewish women in the group invited a variety of members of the community to attend.

The event, moderated by former news anchor Rebecca Stewart, featured Sigal Kanotopsky, Northeast Regional Director for the Jewish Agency for Israel, Ofek M., an Israeli Emissary at the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County, and Dr. Andrew Pessin, professor of philosophy and Jewish studies at Connecticut College.

The room was filled with the images of the 125 hostages still held in captivity with flags identifying the American hostages.

Kanotopsky said “in Israel 52 percent of the Jews are not white and European. They are not Ashkenazi. They are from Africa and Asia, 20 percent of Israelis are Muslim Arabs including a Supreme Court justice. If you ask the majority of Israel, of course, we care about the lives of the people in Gaza.“

Ofek M. pointed out "life is not a Marvel superhero movie. It is too simple to frame this conflict as good guys and bad guys. Instead of asking who is good and bad, you should ask what does the future look like in Israel? It’s about the future of democracy and freedom. We have peace with many Muslim countries.”

Said Pessin: “Israel wants to live in peace. And many Israelis would bend over backward to do that if the other side wanted to live in peace. But Hamas doesn’t want to live in peace…. If there is hope, I can quote Mark Twain where he marveled at the immortality of the Jew.”

GRJW emphasized the group’s commitment to combating antisemitism through educational outreach and honest open dialogue.

The event is just the first of many in which the Greater Hartford Jewish community can connect with its neighbors and friends.

For further information, email Grassrootsjewishwomen@gmail.com