ORANGE COUNTY AND THE GULF WAR : O.C. Jews Monitor War With Concern, Unity in U.S. Goal

From chabads in North Orange County, where children in yarmulkes watched CNN reports of the Persian Gulf War, to temples in Laguna Niguel, where special Sabbath prayers were said for the quick resolution of the conflict, Jews in Orange County on Friday anxiously monitored the war that has now engulfed Israel.

At Temple Beth Tikvah in Fullerton, more then 300 Christians and Jews gathered for an interfaith rally entitled “Never Again” to condemn Saddam Hussein’s use of force against the civilian population of Israel.

“Tonight is a rally demonstration . . . to let Israel know she is not alone,” said Frank Eiklor, president of Shalom International, a Costa Mesa group that organized the event.

“We are not going to tolerate Saddam Hussein and his threats to use gas and annihilate Israel,” he said. “Israel took out the Iraqi nuclear capability 10 years ago, and we never thanked them. Now we’re thanking God they did.”

The Rev. Robert Schuller of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove said he hopes Israel stays out of the conflict.

“I’m sure we’re going to win the war, and if we win the war without Israel firing a shot, they’ll have the high moral ground,” he said.

Rabbi Haim Asa of Temple Beth Tikvah said the gathering was intended to show the solidarity between U.S. Jews and non-Jews with Israel. Asa, who just returned from a trip to Jerusalem, said most Jews here deplore Israel being dragged into the conflict.

“Tying Israel to the issue of Kuwait is like tying the moon to the energy of the sun,” he said.

Just before 9:30 p.m., some members of the rally gathered around a TV monitor to watch a report on the latest attack on Israel by Iraqi missiles.

Meanwhile, in Laguna Niguel, nearly 200 worshipers of Temple Beth El gathered for their regular Friday night service. They sang songs of peace and prayed for friends and relatives in Israel.

“Give us strength to endure the trials ahead,” prayed Rabbi Allen Krause. “And give us the wisdom to create a world where tyrants are unknown.”

Cantor Shula Kalir-Merton said in an interview that the last few days have brought concern about her aunt in Tel Aviv. She was finally able to talk with her by telephone Friday morning, she said.

“She’s very calm, considering the situation,” Kalir-Merton said. “She was ready in her sealed room and the gas mask was out.”

Elsewhere in Orange County, those with friends and relatives in Israel were carefully following news reports of events in the Persian Gulf.

Anxiety was escalated Friday morning when early reports said missiles had once again been launched at Tel Aviv. It was learned a few hours later that the “bombs” had actually been aging Soviet satellites that had fallen out of orbit and into the atmosphere.

While the United States and allied forces have kept casualties to a minimum, and the attack on Israel left only minor injuries, Jewish leaders here said this is not the time to be overly optimistic.

“We are very, very concerned that this man may use the poison gas,” said Rabbi David Eliezre, vice president of the Rabbinical Council of Orange County.

Eliezre said his North Orange County Chabad Center would offer “special prayers for the welfare of the people, and success of the President against Saddam Hussein.”

Throughout the county, synagogues and Jewish groups were displaying their concern for the crisis in the Middle East in a variety of ways.

“We remain on alert,” said Bill Shane, president of the Jewish Federation of Orange County, an umbrella group of synagogues and other Jewish organizations.

He said that many congregations used their Friday night Sabbath services to focus attention on events in the Persian Gulf.

“We are obviously concerned about Israel, but basically our focus (in our prayers) is on the efforts of our country,” said Krause earlier in the day. “In that perspective, we are really no different from any other church. . . . Most synagogues are facing this in the same way as all of our other brothers and sisters who aren’t Jewish. Because we are Americans.”

Times staff writer Henry Chu contributed to this report.