In a show of support for the people of Israel—and, in particular, for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces—hundreds of men, women and children participated in a prayer gathering at the Central Synagogue in Sydney, Australia.

It was chaired by the synagogue’s chief minister and spiritual head, Rabbi Levi Wolff.

Psalms were read by two-dozen rabbis representing congregations throughout Sydney, followed by words of inspiration from Rabbi Yoram Ulman, president of the Rabbinical Council of New South Wales. Rabbinical Council Vice President Rabbi Eli Feldman of Chabad told stories of faith and success from the frontlines of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.

Israel’s chief Ashkenazi rabbi, Rabbi David Lau, served as the main speaker via Skype from Jerusalem. He thanked everyone for coming together on Israel’s behalf at this critical time and shared teachings from the Torah. He is also planning to take completed mitzvah cards, which were handed out at the gathering and will be sent to Israel, and have them placed in the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Next came a memorial prayer for those killed in the war, followed by the singing of “Acheinu,” led by Rabbi and Chazzan Chaim Ingram, honorary secretary of the Rabbinical Council.

The evening concluded with the reciting of the Mi Shebeirach (healing) prayer for the injured by Central Synagogue Chazzan Rabbi Yehuda Niasoff, as well as a special invocation of Divine blessing for Israeli soldiers.

The synagogue's chief minister and spiritual head Rabbi Levi Wolff. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
The synagogue's chief minister and spiritual head Rabbi Levi Wolff. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
Young and old pray together at the synagogue. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
Young and old pray together at the synagogue. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
Attendees heard psalms read by two-dozen rabbis representing congregations throughout Sydney, as well as listened to stories from the frontlines of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
Attendees heard psalms read by two-dozen rabbis representing congregations throughout Sydney, as well as listened to stories from the frontlines of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
Israel’s chief Ashkenazi rabbi, Rabbi David Lau, spoke via Skype from Jerusalem, thanking everyone for their support and sharing teachings from the Torah. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
Israel’s chief Ashkenazi rabbi, Rabbi David Lau, spoke via Skype from Jerusalem, thanking everyone for their support and sharing teachings from the Torah. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
Rabbinic leaders join in reciting the Shema Yisrael prayer. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)
Rabbinic leaders join in reciting the Shema Yisrael prayer. (Photo: Ingrid Shakenovsky)