Indianapolis, IN
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
Indianapolis, IN
Tommy Davidson to perform in Indianapolis, discusses new sitcom and comedy
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Comedian Tommy Davidson, known for his work on “In Living Color” and “The Proud Family,” is set to perform at Helium Comedy Club in Indianapolis on Dec. 19, 20 and 21, 2025.
General admission tickets are priced at $36.97, while reserved tickets are available for $49.39. During a recent interview, Davidson expressed his thoughts on the lack of new Christmas music, emphasizing the need for fresh original songs during the holiday season.
Davidson has been touring with fellow comedian Cat Williams, showcasing their unique styles together. He revealed that their collaborative performances have allowed audiences from various backgrounds to come together and enjoy comedy, stating, “I look at my audience and it’s Latinos looking at whites and whites looking at Asians and Asians looking at Indians. We’re all the same still. And everybody laughing together, which I think is something that is vastly needed right now.”
In addition to his touring, Davidson is producing a new sitcom titled “Varnell,” based on a character from his earlier work. He shared insights into his upbringing, recalling, “Of course, of course. My mom taught me, you know, you live with an open hand, you know and you can receive and you can give, you know.” He reflected on his journey from humble beginnings to Hollywood stardom, highlighting the importance of hard work in achieving success.
Davidson discussed the significance of his experiences and how they shape his comedy. “That’s what comedy comes into play and has for so long for me personally, like stand up. That’s what it does. It takes all of your worries away, anything that you think is going on in the world.” He also touched upon the importance of storytelling and connecting with an audience, emphasizing, .”..that work part, that word work, you know, that’s what my mom taught me.”
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis residents face mixed experiences with USPS during busiest shipping week
INDIANAPOLIS — A busy holiday shipping season has left some Indianapolis residents frustrated with postal service delays, while others report smooth deliveries during what the United States Postal Service calls its busiest week of the year.
“This is actually the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week of the entire year. So we are incredibly busy,” said Susan Wright, USPS spokesperson.
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Indianapolis residents face mixed experiences with USPS during holiday season
For Indianapolis resident Steve Burnstein, the holiday rush has meant nearly two weeks of waiting for gifts that should have arrived days ago.
“I’m just frustrated to the top, you know, there’s no reason for it,” Burnstein said.
After dropping off his gifts, Steve was told delivery would take just a matter of days. Nearly two weeks later, the packages remain stuck at a distribution center just miles from his home.
“They’re sitting at a distribution center at English at or Brookville Road near 465,” Burnstein added.
WRTV followed Steve to the post office to track down his missing packages, and employees spent more than 15 minutes searching for answers.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing — it’s moving through the distribution center— but not to California,” Steve said after the lengthy wait.
WRTV
Wright offered advice for avoiding shipping delays during the busy season.
“One thing that I want to encourage customers to do is to be sure you have an accurate address, and the one thing you do not want to guess about is the zip code, because the zip code is our first line of sortation. And so if that is incorrect, it will misdirect your package,” Wright said.
Other Indianapolis residents have had better experiences with the postal service during the holiday rush.
“They’re very good about getting your mail out and getting it on time,” Delores Parker from Indianapolis said.
Delores recommends additional precautions.
“I usually make sure it’s where I get a return receipt if it’s something that’s very important,” she added.
Steve suggests considering alternatives for critical shipments.
“Ship them FedEx, ship them UPS. Check and make sure that they’re gonna go,” Steve said.
According to the USPS Website, the deadline for a package to arrive by Christmas through Priority Mail Express is Saturday, December 20.
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Griffin Gonzalez is the In Your Community multimedia journalist for Hamilton County. He joined WRTV in January of 2024. Griffin loves to tell stories about people overcoming their biggest obstacles and share the good news that his community has to offer. Share your story ideas and important issues with Griffin by emailing him at griffin.gonzalez@wrtv.com.
Indianapolis, IN
Silver Alert declared for 16-year-old boy missing from Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Robert Williams Jr., a 16-year-old Black male who is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 185 pounds, has black hair with brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a gray coat, blue sweat pants, and black tennis shoes.
Williams Jr. is missing from Indianapolis, and was last seen on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.
Investigators ask that anyone with information on Williams Jr. contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 317-327-6541 or 911.
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