We, as individuals, have cried. We, as individuals, have Davened and said Tehilim. And last night, we as a community united and came out to cry and Daven TOGETHER.

Thousands upon thousands of Monsey residents, men women and children, branded together to share the pain of the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel. The diversity of the crowd showcased the statement of כלנו בני איש אחד נחנו – we are all the sons of one man, as we Davened for our other brothers and sisters in Artzeinu Hakedosha.

The evening opened with Rabbi Avi Neuberger thanking all the officials and the various organizations that helped coordinate the last-minute event.

Rav Elya Brudny Shlit”a took the podium and drew parallels between the unthinkable atrocities that we read about in the Kinnus on Tisha B’Av to those that have recently occurred, and painfully wondered if anyone would have thought that they could actually happen in our times. He went on to say that we need to reinforce our Emunah Peshuta, and as difficult as it may be to fathom, we need to unequivocally believe that every blow was an extension of the hand of Hashem.

He also urged the crowd to ponder and think about the root of the hatred that is on public display towards us Yidden, and encouraged them to bolster the pride of being members of the chosen nation.

Rav Bentzion Kokis followed by leading the Tzibur with Kabalas Ol Malchus Shamayim, and the inspiring evening ended with a heartfelt rendition of Acheinu Kol Bais Yisroel led by a visibly emotional Rav Daniel Coren.

As the crowd quietly and respectfully dispersed, the feelings of our strength as a nation united under one King, remained – and will remain – forever. אלה ברכב ואלה בסוסים ואנחנו בשם ה’ אלוקינו נזכיר – Some with chariots and some with horses; but we, in the name of Hashem our G-d, call out.