One year after war's start, Jewish community filled with pain, hope

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Members of central Ohio’s Jewish community said the past year has been filled with shock, pain and fear but also with hope and unity.   

“We are praying for peace, we are praying for the hostages, and we want a safe return,” said Julie Tilson-Stanley, president and CEO of Jewish Columbus. 

It’s been one year since the start of the Israel-Hamas war; one year of lives lost on both sides and one year of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza. 

With the anniversary coming right in the middle of the Jewish high holidays, Jewish Columbus’ security team and partners are on high alert.  

“I know that many rabbis in their sermons this past week have talked about the safe return of the hostages, have talked about Jewish joy and Jewish pride, and how Jewish values promote those of peace and of social justice and taking care of those that are vulnerable in the community,” Tilson-Stanley said. “We believe that a safe Jewish community is a safe Columbus community.” 

Tilson-Stanley said through the uncertainty of this year also came hope. 

“It took a few steps to really internalize and understand what was happening and to understand that this was the worst attack on the Jewish people since the holocaust, and when it did begin to sink in, we began to come together and take action,” she said. “We immediately, within 72 hours after Oct. 7, we gathered the community for a vigil where we had over 2,000 guests attend.” 

Jewish Columbus said it has seen more engagement and involvement in the Jewish community than ever before. 

Tilson-Stanley said safety is always a top priority but with antisemitic incidents increasing by 40 percent this year in central Ohio, they are on even higher alert.  

Jewish Columbus has its own security program and also partners with federal agencies and local agencies like Bexley police. 

“When you're looking at three synagogues and a two-and-a-half-mile area, we really have made sure that our visibility, the due diligence and the partnership are key and very critical to our success in making sure that we're providing that level of security,” Bexley Police Chief Gary Lewis said. 

Bexley officers have been highly visible for the Jewish high holidays. He said they are also on high alert Monday for the anniversary of the war. 

Lewis said Bexley Police is always working to build on its security plans to help the Jewish community feel safe. 

“We have a bomb detection K-9 that provides that level of support,” he said. “We've done some Judaism one-on-one courses for our officers to learn much more about the Jewish faith and how we can help support our Jewish community." 

Jewish and police leaders said there are no known threats to security at this time.  

Jewish Columbus held a vigil Monday for the anniversary.