Livingston resident Josh Commer is one of the organizers of a rally held last Friday, January 26, outside of Town Hall. The pro-Israel rally called to “Bring Them Home Now,” in reference to the hostages that were taken by Hamas on October 7,2023.“This past Friday, we saw our community come together as one, to stand against terrorism, to stand with Israel, to stand for what is right and to stand up andunapologetically demand that we bring them home now,” Commer said. “On October 7,2023 the world changed not only in Israel but here in Livingston for so many who have direct connections to the land and people of the only democratic state in the Middle East. As days turned into weeks and weeks into months many local residents banded together into groups to support one another. From these support groups has developed a need to act.”More than 200 residents attended the Friday afternoon event at Town Hall. Names of the hostages being held in Gaza for 112 days (at the time of the event on Friday) were read aloud. Rabbi David Vaisberg and Rabbi Simeon Cohen both spoke at the gathering. Others read a prayer for Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, and both the American and Israeli National Anthems were sung, in addition to other songs focused on hope and unity.Additionally, on display at the gathering was a Shabbat table set up for the hostages, including a highchair for the one-year-old Kfir Bibas.“Friday’s event couldnothave happened without everyone involved,” Commer said. “This reminds us all just how wonderful a community we live in. Hate has no home here.”
