Indianapolis, IN

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb joins Jews in mourning Oct. 7, 2023, attack on anniversary

Published

2 months ago

October 8, 2024

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb joins Jews in mourning Oct. 7, 2023, attack on anniversary

Hundreds of members of Indianapolis’ Jewish community gathered Monday night to mourn the nearly 1,200 Israelis killed by Hamas gunmen Oct. 7, 2023, in the start of a deadly war that has since escalated across the Middle East.

Mourners packed into the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation’s synagogue on North Meridian Street, where Jewish leaders led prayers for the families of the dead and for more than 100 Israeli hostages still in Hamas captivity. Outside the sanctuary, posters showing the hostages were affixed to trees and surrounded with red flowers.

“Day after day, we’ve been glued to the news wishing for a normalcy we thought we had before,” speaker Offer Korin, a Jewish attorney, told the congregants. “And here we are, a year later, hoping for the return of the hostages in Gaza.”

At a time when Jewish Americans face increasing antisemitism, leaders said they were uplifted by the presence of politicians such as Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and attorney general candidate Destiny Wells, along with state lawmakers. The Anti-Defamation League has recorded more than 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the United States since the fall 2023 attack, a trend that coincides with a similar spike in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian incidents.

Eli Isaacs, a leader of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, said many members of Central Indiana’s Jewish community have struggled to uphold their commitments to their neighbors while feeling increasingly on edge. Heavy security at Monday’s event, which didn’t attract protesters, made clear the constant tension, Isaacs said.

“It’s been difficult and frustrating because you have to wear all these different hats. You need to be doing what you can to support people on the ground in Israel, who are spending days on end in bomb shelters,” Isaacs said. “You are trying to get them resources and support that they need. You’re also trying to explain the conflict to people who might not understand here.”

Pro-Palestinian event: Hundreds march in downtown Indy as war nears one-year mark

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks at synagogue

About 18,000 people in Marion and Hamilton counties identify as Jewish, a 2017 survey found, and the U.S. has the world’s second-largest Jewish population with about 5.7 million people. Israel, which became a nation in 1948 following the Holocaust, is home to nearly half of the world’s Jewish population, about 7.2 million Jews.

During a keynote address, Holcomb recalled how Ophir Lipstein, the mayor of an Israeli village called Sha’ar Hanegev, highlighted the two nations’ decades-long partnership by visiting Indiana in September of last year.

Weeks later, Lipstein was killed by Hamas gunmen in his home on Oct. 7, 2023.

“Our brother Ophir’s loss is a reminder of just how small this world is, and how connected each and every one of us is, whether we know it or not or like it or not,” Holcomb said, “of just how far-reaching events of the day can be, realizing some nightmares not even an ocean can divide.”

How Gaza war is escalating at one-year mark

The Gaza war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded Israel, killing about 1,200 Israeli civilians and taking roughly 250 others hostage.

Hamas gunmen attacked army bases, Israeli communities and an all-night music festival where an estimated 360 attendees were killed, according to Israeli officials. A year after the surprise invasion, more than 1,700 Israelis have died and just over 100 are still held hostage.

The Israeli military retaliated the day after Oct. 7 with deadly air strikes bombarding the Gaza Strip and a ground invasion.

In the year of ensuing battles, Israel has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and displaced around 1.9 million people — nine in 10 Gaza residents have moved at least once, according to the United Nations. Amid war and severe food shortages, nearly 42,000 Palestinians have died and more than 96,000 have been wounded, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

1 year after Hamas invaded Israel: How far could Gaza war expand?

The war has spread outward from Gaza and intensified in recent weeks in Lebanon, on Israel’s northern border, where the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah operates. In the last weeks of September, Israeli forces killed top Hezbollah leaders and began a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, where Lebanese officials say Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,400 Lebanese and displaced 1.2 million since late September.

Iran responded Oct. 1 by firing at least 180 ballistic missiles at sites across Israel. Israeli air defenses intercepted most of the missiles, which are reported to have killed only one Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank.

Email IndyStar reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09

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Indianapolis, IN

Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts

The Tennessee Titans may be out of the playoff picture, but they find themselves in a big game against their AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts.

The Titans can play spoiler for the Colts, who need to win to hold onto their faint playoff hopes, by eliminating them from playoff contention in a win.

However, CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco doesn’t believe that will end up being the case. He predicts that the Colts will pull out a 24-17 win against the Titans.

“The Colts are alive in the playoff race — barely. The Titans are done and might be making a quarterback change. The Colts did some good things in losing to the Broncos last week in a game they should have won. They bounce back here. Colts take it,” Prisco writes.

The Titans are certainly an underdog considering the fact that they are on the road and have won only three games all year long.

However, we have seen how difficult it can be for divisional opponents to sweep a season series, and the Colts came away with the win when the two teams met in Nashville during Week 6.

The Titans are coming into the game with a massive chip on their shoulder and a new source of energy with Mason Rudolph taking over as the starting quarterback after Will Levis was demoted earlier in the week.

The Titans have the ingredients necessary for a win against the Colts, but they still have to execute their plan in order to leave Indy on a happy flight home to Tennessee.

The Titans and Colts are set to kickoff at 12 noon CT tomorrow inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The game can be watched on CBS or streamed on Paramount+.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash

Published

9 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash

The Indianapolis Colts (6-8) are prepped for an AFC South clash at home against the Tennessee Titans (3-11), with still plenty on the line. If the Colts win this game, their slim playoff hopes stay alive at 15%. However, a loss destroys every probability of this happening, dropping Shane Steichen’s troops to 1% (NFL.com).

What this means is Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and the offensive line must operate better than against the Denver Broncos, but the defense and Gus Bradley must carry over their performance at Mile High.

With Indy’s 15th game nearly here, these are the two X-Factors for the offense and defense (minus Richardson) most crucial to Indianapolis walking out of Lucas Oil with their seventh win on the season and with postseason aspirations still breathing.

Offense | Josh Downs

Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (all-white uniform) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Jets (green uniform).

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Colts’ second-year wide receiver Josh Downs has emerged as the most reliable target for Steichen’s offense throughout 2024. The former North Carolina Tarheel has reeled 56 catches on 86 targets for 626 receiving yards (11.2 average) and four touchdowns.

After being sidelined with a shoulder injury, Downs is ready to bounce back from his underwhelming three-catch, 32-yard performance at Mile High. The Titans are a gritty defense, and Downs will face off against Tennessee’s slot cornerback Roger McCreary. Downs dominated in the first meeting, catching seven of nine targets from Joe Flacco for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Expect Richardson to look Downs’ way often, especially considering that Alec Pierce (concussion) won’t suit up for this one. While Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell will get their fair share of throws, Downs is the safety blanket and most reliable pass-catcher.

The Colts have to get Richardson into a rhythm throwing the football to help the young field general over the 50% completion hump; the best way to do that since there’s nearly no tight end receiving production is getting Downs the football. Expect at least eight-plus targets for Downs on Sunday.

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Defense | Laiatu Latu

Colts' defensive end Laiatu Latu (all-white uniform) gets ready to try and get past an offensive lineman.

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (74) blocks against Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After a rocky start to his rookie campaign, the Colts’ rookie 15th overall selection Laiatu Latu is finding his footing in the NFL. Along with Kwity Paye, the two have combined for 10 sacks, with Latu accounting for four. Latu also has Pro Football Focus grades of 72.7 overall, 72.9 pass-rush, and 64.3 run. While the last can improve, Latu is getting to where he needs to be under Charlie Partridge.

Against the Titans, Latu will have a chance to feast on a struggling Tennessee offensive line. The Titans’ protection ranks 28th in Pro Football Focus team grades for pass-blocking (56.6), so there’s areas where Latu can exploit.

While offensive tackle JC Latham has an acceptable pass-blocking grade (66.8), he’s second on Tennessee in pressures allowed (37) behind only fellow tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (39). Latu has a chance to wreck Mason Rudolph with constant pressures that might lead to opportunities for sacks. For the year, the former UCLA Bruin has 34 pressures and will have a clear path to success against Latham and Petit-Frere.

Expect Latu to have a field day when taking snaps against Tennessee on Sunday, with a great chance at a sack or more.

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