Israel is at war. Find out how East Rockaway and Lynbrook neighbors are helping

Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre congregants affixed a miniature facsimile of the Israeli flag to blouses, shirts and jackets as they gathered for Shabbos services on Oct. 13, with the Jewish state firmly in their hearts.

The conservative synagogue encouraged its families to donate at least $18 — with many giving much more — to a fundraising campaign. The number 18 is chai in Hebrew, meaning life. All of the proceeds will be given to the Jewish National Fund, a 122-year-old philanthropic organization that supports a broad spectrum of projects in Israel.

“This way we show our support to Israel and to each other,” Stephen Moelis, the temple’s president, said before the service. “This is meaningful, and not a donation that is faceless of names and faceless of voices.”

As much as Shabbos is meant to give solace to congregants, many of whom have family and friends in Israel, the service was interspersed with thoughts of what has unfolded in Israel and Gaza: the death and destruction that has occurred, and more that is yet to come.

“So the community is looking to this for togetherness, as they are disoriented, as we all are,” Rabbi Michel Schlesinger said before the service. “We understood from our congregation that they needed this place to pray together, to sing together, to bring their families to feel safe, to cry together.”

The Lynbrook village board expressed similar sentiments: When violence leaves us shocked and disoriented, the antidote is togetherness. “Everyone’s getting together,” Mayor Alan Beach said during the village meeting on Monday night. “It’s really great to see the support people carry.”

“Everyone’s caring and trying to help,” Beach added.

“What is going on over in Israel is completely unacceptable,” Trustee Ann Marie Reardon said. “People here in the community, we have to support each other.”

Trustee Robert Boccio highlighted the efforts of Congregation Beth Sholom, in Lawrence, which is organizing a drive for Israel, collecting toiletries, children’s toys, baby clothes and other necessities until Thursday at 9 p.m.

Trustee Michael Habert, a former New York City Police officer, called for people to stay alert and be the “eyes and ears” of the Lynbrook Police Department.

“With the things going on over in Israel, after seeing the atrocities, it kind of shocks you to your core,” Habert said. “You hope it doesn’t hit at home, but we all have to be vigilant about it.”

The safety of local places of worship is among the village’s top priorities. “We’re following the temples,” Beach said. “Whatever they ask, we’ll give.”

He said the situation reminded him of the aftermath of Sept. 11, when people came together in the face of tragedy to grieve, to pray, to support one another.

“You feel for these people — there’s no water over there, there’s no food, supplies,” Beach said of Palestinians, who are also suffering. “I will support anybody that comes to me and asks me for help. The village is like that.

“Anybody asks for a hand, they’ll get it from the village.”

Though the support throughout East Rockaway and Lynbrook is heartening and welcomed, it does not eliminate the grief and anxiety that people feel for Israel and their loved ones there. So while the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre sanctuary was active with the usual sights and sounds of Shabbos, there was a sense of melancholy in the voices as worshippers recited prayers or sang.

During the service, Schlesinger noted that the Hamas attack on Israel “interrupted our ritual, our lives.”

“I asked them to be in touch with their families as frequently as possible,” he said, “and I help them in assuring them that this is a place which they can come anytime and share their complex emotions with people that are here, not to judge them, but to embrace them.” Schlesinger described this as “pastoral care.”

There was a collective kiddush for the victims of Hamas, and though there was a sadness to the service, Schlesinger broke through with humor. When he announcing that the bar mitzvah of Wesley Brines and a baby naming would take place the following day, he asked the congregation if they wanted to know the baby’s name. When they said yes, he responded, “Come tomorrow and you will know,” and laughter rippled through the sanctuary.

The Shabbos service concluded with the singing of “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem, and many heartfelt hugs