At a Stand with Israel rally Wednesday on the south steps of the Utah State Capitol, Rabbi Chaim Zippel spoke about last Saturday's horrific terrorist attack on Israel from personal experience.
The co-director of Chabad of Utah County was in Israel last week with his family, staying in a town not far from Gaza.
Early Saturday morning they were awakened by the sound of “red alert sirens warning of rockets heading in the direction of the home we were staying in,” he said.
Following a harrowing encounter with an Israeli fighter and close calls with Hamas missiles, Rabbi Chaim Zippel, his wife and their young son made it to an airport in Tel Aviv.
“Friends, my message to you this evening is that this is personal,” Rabbi Chaim Zippel said.
He addressed a crowd of about 300 people who braved chilly and rainy weather to support Israel and Utah’s Jewish communities. The attendees included elected officials, community members and members of several faith communities.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who wore a yarmulke, told those assembled that Utah stands with Israel.
“Tonight, we gather in solidarity and support for the people of Israel as they defend their right to exist free from those who would destroy them from the face of the Earth. We also gather in support of our Jewish community here in Utah,” he said.
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