Omaha organizations react to one year anniversary of Hamas-Israel conflict

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Sharon Brodkey remembers a year ago today finding out about the deadly Hamas attack on Israel.

“I started getting text messages from friends and family and it was very alarming and at first nobody understood the extent and the intensity of what was happening,” Brodkey said.

She said the tragic conflict is still impacting families and communities both mentally and financially.

From the start, Brodkey with the Jewish Federation of Omaha has lent a helping hand.

“What we immediately did was mobilize the Jewish community along with the Jewish Federations of America,” Brodkey said. “We raised a significant amount of money for aid for the civilians who have been severely impacted.”

As a way to honor those impacted, the organization keeps pictures of victims overseas who were lost and who have returned home.

Brodkey said there’s so many emotions to describe seeing thousands of pictures up on the wall.

“Shocked, despair, helplessness, anger, grief, every emotion imaginable,” Brodkey said.

6 News also spoke to the Islamic Center of Omaha and how they’re handling the conflict.

Leaders said witnessing the conflict is traumatizing for everyone and in quote said:

“We continue to receive requests for prayers from families who lost their loved ones in this war. We are hoping and praying for peace to prevail.”

Brodkey is also hopeful the war overseas will come to an end.

“We pray for not just moving forward, but for peace in the region and for finding a path for some kind of recognition of our shared humanity,” Brodkey said.

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