Last week City resident Karen S. Elimelech organized a peace vigil for Israel at the John Ireland Bandstand at the West Haven Green. With the help of former Mayor Ed O’Brien and 8th District Councilman Victor Borras, the vigil was planned in less than twenty-four hours. About 35 residents attended the vigil that was called in the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel two weekends ago.
“This is very close to heart for me, because it is a humanitarian cause. I also have a lot of family fighting in this war in the fighting units.” Said Elimelech.
The gathering included a wide range of ethnicities and religions. In his remarks, Steven R. Mullins called it, “A magnificent example of peace. West Haven is the type of community that comes together in times of crisis.”
Also attending were clergy members from the First Congregational Church, Vertical Church, Gateway Church and Congregation Chabad of Milford, as well as State Representative and Democrat-endorsed candidate for Mayor Dorinda Borer and 5th District Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton.
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit lay-minister Jackie Lewis read a litany of prayers for peace.
The vigil ended with participants joining in a circle with candlelights.