Pain and grief as 1,000 gather at Congregation Shalom to mourn lives lost in Middle East terror attacks

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Roughly 1,000 people packed Congregation Shalom Monday night, Oct. 9, to mourn the loss of life in Israel and pray for the injured and abducted.

Seemingly everyone had a story, both in the audience and at the lectern. They were stories of loved ones in danger, even family members killed.

Tears flowed freely and words were sometimes hard to come by, but Monday night's service was an opportunity to grieve together.

Heni Bizawi is visiting Milwaukee from Israel. As a picture of her friends was shown on the sanctuary screen, she told the congregation, "Ani was shot in his leg and Daniel was shot in his chest."

Liran Gerassi said of a loved one, "This morning, his family was informed that Ophir was killed."

They were faces of some of the hundreds of lives lost and many more injured.

Rabbi Noah Chertkoff of Congregation Shalom, said, "The greatest balm for this wound is the comfort and understanding that we find with each other."

Hundreds of Milwaukeeans gathered to try to process the trauma.

Richard Sack said the weekend attacks are "always expected. And when I expect it, it's no surprise."

More than a dozen Jewish organizations partnered to host 1,000 mourners.

One of them was Todd Herbert, who said of the violence, "It's beyond comprehension. No easy way to describe it. It just breaks your heart."

The congregation sang along with the cantors; the lyrics in Hebrew said, "I'm still alive."

And they prayed. For the dead, for the injured, and for the abducted.

Rabbi David Cohen of Congregation Sinai choked up as he prayed, "And human kindness that should sing of God's benevolent love instead feels trapped."

Videos were played that shared direct accounts of the war.

Nir Barkin, currently in Shaliah, said in his video, "Forty-eight hours into the war, and the war is not stopping."

Orri Eidels said in her video, "Thank you for your support, I miss you all."

Many more at home shared their own connections.

Jody Herbert told us, "We have friends and family there. They're all accounted for and well, thank God."

The grief was not singular: people of many faiths sat alongside Jews to mourn together and demonstrate support.

Mark Shapiro, the president and CEO of the Jewish Community Center, explained, "The reason why it's so hard and uncomfortable is because it happened to you, too. You're human."

Feelings of shock and even hopelessness were still prevalent. But the goal was to try to process the anger and sadness.

Miryam Rosenzweig, president and CEO of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, said, "We are going to have hope because we're going to rebuild together."

The service closed with the National Anthem of the United States, and the National Anthem of Israel, titled in English "The Hope".

At the end of the service there was a short fundraising drive to support the victims. More than $31,000 was raised in three minutes by those in attendance and watching online, and anonymous donors pledged to match those gifts.

You can donate by clicking this link.