‘Emotions are ramped up’ in Lincoln’s Jewish community as Mideast conflict intensifies

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As violence in the Middle East escalated on Tuesday, Nebraskans are reacting to Iran’s missile attack on Israel.

Ari Kohen is the director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Norman Center for Judaic Studies.

He said the conflict in Israel is affecting people here in Nebraska.

“Tensions are heightened,” Kohen said. “People’s emotions are ramped up. It’s a really challenging situation. It’s challenging for anyone who has a connection to that part of the world.”

Kohen said there are many people in Lincoln who have friends and family in Israel.

“A lot of people that I know personally were just trying to make sure that they were in contact with relatives who might be there in safe rooms or bomb shelters,” he said. “People are kind of glued to their phones or reading the news and constantly trying to update to make sure that missiles are being intercepted, that no casualties are being reported.”

He said this is especially difficult as people prepare for what’s supposed to be a celebration.

“The Jewish community is going into the holiday of Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year — in just about a day,” Kohen said. “We’re obviously approaching that with this very much in mind.”

As the conflict intensifies, the threat of a regional war looms.

But Kohen is holding out hope that it won’t turn into a full-scale war.

“I’m very hopeful that all of this will remain quite limited,” he said “What we’re seeing are a series of strikes and retaliations. And there’s a lot of signaling back and forth between the various players, whether it’s Iran, Israel, the U.S.”

He said he wants those involved to be able to reach a political resolution.