In a starkly personal speech, the Jewish husband of the Democratic presidential nominee told thousands of American Jews on Tuesday night how he felt about Hamas’ murder of six hostages on the verge of freedom.

“Standing on this bimah, I can only be direct: This is hard. I feel raw. I’m gutted,” Doug Emhoff said. “I know you are, too.”

Emhoff was speaking at a vigil held at one of Washington’s preeminent synagogues, Adas Israel Congregation, where he has become a congregant since moving to the city in 2021.

Emhoff emphasized that he was relaying American Jewish grief to his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris.

“How you feel right now is how I feel,” Emhoff said. “And how we all feel is something Kamala hears directly from me.”

Just hours earlier, Merrick Garland, the U.S. attorney general, announced criminal charges against Hamas and its leadership, spurred by the terrorists’ murder of six hostages over the weekend, including an Israeli American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. “Hamas’ leaders will pay for these crimes,” Emhoff said.

He related, as he frequently does, that he had not expected his status as the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president to become so central to his identity. He has spearheaded the task force to combat antisemitism that President Joe Biden launched in December of 2022.

He credited Adas Israel’s rabbis, Lauren Holtzblatt and Aaron Alexander, with helping bring him closer to his faith.

“While I’m here as the second gentleman of the United States — and the first-ever Jewish White House principal — in this moment, I’m here as a congregant, as a mourner, as a Jew who feels connected to all of you and grateful for the guidance of our wonderful rabbis, Aaron and Lauren,” he said. “They have become confidants and advisors. We’ve talked a lot about my own faith journey — something Kamala has encouraged in me. Among the many things they helped me find was my voice.”

Harris’ campaign is aggressively courting a Jewish community that has long voted for the party in substantial majorities, but that has been unmoored by increasing criticism of Israel within the Democrats’ progressive wing, accelerating as Israel wages the war Hamas launched last Oct. 7 with its cross-border attack.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, has said his affinity for Israel makes him the better candidate for Jews, and is set to make his case for the Jewish vote on Thursday at the annual Republican Jewish Coalition conference in Las Vegas, where he will appear by satellite. The RJC billed his speech as Trump speaking “not only to the RJC’s leadership gathered in Las Vegas this week but to the entire American Jewish community.”

Hours before he spoke, Emhoff appeared in an online forum launching Jewish Voters for Harris-Walz, which the campaign had said would work to “reach Jewish voters and emphasize Vice President Harris’ long track record of unwavering commitment to Israel’s security, fighting the scourge of antisemitism, and supporting Jewish values.” 

The event Tuesday night overflowed the 1,700-seat sanctuary; organizers estimated there were 2,000 people in attendance. Rabbis and cantors representing all religious streams from across the Washington metropolitan area attended and crowded the bimah at the end to join in singing “Acheinu,” an ancient song pleading for the release of captives.

The evening focused entirely on freeing the 100 or so hostages remaining captive but, except for a single reference, did not mention the preeminent demand of the hostages’ families in Israel: that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept a deal brokered by the Biden administration to end the war and free the captives. Protesters brought Israel to a standstill on Monday in pressing for a deal.

Leat Corinne Unger, whose 21-year-old cousin Omer Shem Tov remains captive, said it was time to close the deal. “We need to seal this deal and bring Omer and the rest of our brothers and sisters home. We no longer have time to waste,” she said. “Let’s make sure we don’t have to apologize to another hostage or family.”

A number of those in attendance said they did not feel it was their place to insert themselves into Israeli politics, and that it was more incumbent on them to explain the plight of the hostages to the broader American public.

“We can keep the hostages in the conscience of Americans, that Americans understand the story of the hostages affects more than just Jews,” said Julie Powell, 58, a licensed clinical social worker.

Julie Soforenko, 39, said she is always attentive to non-Jews who ask her about the war.

“I think it’s important for Jewish people to keep engaging with people who are not Jewish,” Soforenko, a staffer for a Jewish nonprofit, said before the event started. “I’m so grateful that they would feel comfortable asking me and then listening to my answer.”

A suspicious object was thrown toward the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, the embassy reported in a press release.

No injuries or damage were reported, and the incident is under investigation by local police and the embassy’s security forces.

This is a developing story.

As the 2024 Washington high school football season is set to kick off starting Thursday night, here is the final element of SBLive WA’s preview coverage:

The preseason all-classification, all-state team.

Five of the six WIAA classifications have representatives on the team. In all, players from 16 different leagues were chosen.

Our guiding criteria:

1. Recent individual performance and accolades, especially in 2023.

2. Success of team holds considerable weight in selections.

3. A player was only eligible at one position.

Here is SBLive WA’s 2024 preseason all-state football team (names in position groups were listed in alphabetical order):

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ALL-STATE OFFENSE

Quarterback: Kolton Matson, Lake Stevens, sr. (4A)

Program record-setter won a few significant awards in 2023, including Gatorade state player of year.

Running back: Indiana Jones, Kennedy Catholic, sr. (4A)

Incredible how 4A NPSL MVP comes from Wing-T background, yet is so fluid as pass catcher.

Running back: Jayshon Limar, Lake Stevens, sr. (4A)

Legs of steel, hands of glue – all he wants to do is finish his prep career like older brother, Jayden.

Running back: Alex Roberts, Kennewick, sr. (3A)

Top running back in eastern Washington is a wiggle-pop-and-go runner with breakaway speed.

Wide receiver: Brayden Allen, Ridgeline, sr. (3A)

Replaces Bode Gardner as undisputed best perimeter playmaker in Spokane for pass-happy Falcons.

Wide receiver: Gavin Packer, Skyview, sr. (4A)

Makes covering defensive backs look foolish with his footwork as arguably state’s top route runner.

Wide receiver: Cam Weir, Skyline, sr. (4A)

If is is elite speed you like, Weir has it as Spartans will find creative ways to keep football in his hands.

Tight end: Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. (4A)

UCLA commit has always had good hands and keen spacial sense – and now he has prominent role.

Offensive lineman: Demetri Manning, Bellevue, sr. (3A)

Nice off the field, nasty in the trenches at left tackle as state’s top lineman recruit headed to Oregon.

Offensive lineman: Joellz “Jojo” Matautia, Eastside Catholic, sr. (3A)

Coming off junior season earning 3A Metro lineman of year honors at center and noseguard.

Offensive lineman: Mason Perez, Othello, sr. (2A)

Reigning 2A CWAC MVP is the classification’s immovable object on both lines for run-first Huskies.

Offensive lineman: Jacob Tracy, Yelm, sr. (4A)

After playing tight end as junior, switched positions to left tackle in offseason; Boise State commit.

Offensive lineman: Willi Wascher, Bellevue, sr. (3A)

Best center in the state, this undersized USC commit is going to be rare four-year starter at Bellevue.

Multi–purpose: Lance Allred, Royal, sr. (1A)

Moved to quarterback from his receiver spot in 2023, and did not miss beat as 1A player of year.

Athlete: Terrance Saryon, Evergreen of Vancouver, jr. (3A)

Lines up in backfield or on perimeter to touch football. Once that happens, he creates big-play magic.

Placekicker: Austin Ferencz, Sumner, sr. (4A)

Seems like Sumner is a destination spot for strong-legged kickers – and he is one of state’s best.

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ALL-STATE DEFENSE

Defensive lineman: Derek Colman-Brusa, Kennedy Catholic, jr. (4A)

Just does things athletes his size aren’t supposed to do. Might be best player in Washington.

Defensive lineman: Carter Kuchenbuch, Okanogan, sr. (2B)

His future is at tight end at Boise State, but he sets edge on defense – and plays a mean quarterback.

Defensive lineman: David Schwerzel, O’Dea, jr. (3A)

Irish’s defensive front loaded with D1 talent, but his size-speed blend gives him biggest upside.

Defensive lineman: Luke Webb, Camas, sr. (4A)

Highest-revving motor in the state might belong to this California transfer who is physical specimen.

Linebacker: Jonathan Epperson Jr., Auburn Riverside, sr. (4A)

UW commit gained 25 pounds in offseason so he can deliver bigger hits (and run faster). Yikes!.

Linebacker: Liufau Loumoli, Eastside Catholic, soph. (3A)

Broke into loaded starting defensive lineup as ninth grader, and showed mad skills getting to football.

Linebacker: Cooper MacPherson, Chiawana, sr. (4A)

Coaches have been raving about this rangy, physical model as being generational performer in MCC.

Linebacker: Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Bethel, sr. (4A)

Top senior recruit in state (and UW commit) has brute physicality of a lineman, ball skills of a safety,

Linebacker: Nikko Speer, Camas, sr. (4A)

Instinctual middle linebacker had a whopping 144 tackles as 4A GSHL defensive MVP last fall.

Defensive back: Brady Beaner, Anacortes, sr. (2A)

Talks loud – and his play on the perimeter is even louder as all-state safety; Montana commit.

Defensive back: Cassidy Bolong-Banks, Roosevelt, sr. (3A)

With his speed and strength, can play cornerback, safety and nickel – and will lead Roosevelt defense.

Defensive back: Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma, jr. (3A)

A lockdown cornerback, he has uncanny knack of finding the football before the wide receiver.

Defensive back: David Kuku, Kamiakin, sr. (4A)

Rangy athlete with elite ball-playing skills at cornerback, all-MCC first teamer headed to WSU.

Defensive back: Casey Larson, Woodinville, sr. (4A)

Big-framed all-4A KingCo cornerback pounces on wide receivers in a hurry; committed to Idaho.

Hybrid: Brock Beaner, Anacortes, sr. (2A)

SBLive WA’s two-way player of the year in 2023 can play at all levels of a defense; Montana commit.

Punter: Felix Romero, Montesano, sr.. (1A)

One of the region’s top-ranked punter, he takes care of Bulldogs’ special teams – and will play QB.

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