MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Northern Michigan University students and community members gathered on campus for a prayer vigil for the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
About 30 people– many of them from the Marquette community– came to the event at the center of campus, organized by students in NMU’s chapter of Michigan Hillel.
The vigil began with brief opening statements and singing the national anthem of Israel, followed by a few prayers.
The students who organized the vigil say they hope to bring more awareness and support for the Jewish community locally and worldwide.
“It’s a scary time, and with that, I think we need to have community, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Elysa Bratic, executive board member of NMU Hillel.
“I think that’s the keystone of everything that’s going on tonight, is the community aspect of it,” added Hope J. Kaukola, executive board members of NMU Hillel.
The vigil wrapped up after about 20 minutes. It concluded with more songs and a moment of silence for the thousands of lives lost on both sides of the crisis.