LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- As war rages in Israel, Louisville's Jewish community is standing in solidarity.

Dozens of people, including Mayor Craig Greenberg, will show their support during a rally at the Trager Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, condemning the terrorist attacks against Israel.

Matt Golden, who oversees community relations at the JCC, said most of his congregation knows people trapped in Israel.

"When we woke up on Oct. 7, we were devastated. We were worried for our friends. We were worried about our family," Golden said Tuesday. "There are people who don't know where their family members are. They don't know what's happening to them."

After the airstrikes, shootings and beheadings that have killed at least 1,600 Israelis, along with kidnappings, Golden said it's important for the community to back Israel, a narrow, small nation.

"The size of Israel is about one-fourth the size of Kentucky," he said.

With flags at half-staff across the state of Kentucky, ordered Monday by Gov. Andy Beshear, the community is praying for and mourning the thousands of lives lost and forever changed.

"I think everyone's terrified," Golden said. "It's only been four days."

The JCC is also directly sending support to their loved ones.

"We can help feed people and emergency trauma care," Golden said. "We've got partnerships on the ground in Israel to help shelters that are in need."

But, Golden said, there are ways everyone can help.

"Prayers are beneficial as well," he said. "Between the act of praying and mourning, between the act of learning and the act of doing, that would be the biggest takeaway." 

The JCC has set up a website for donations and other ways to show support. To get involved, click here.

Also in Louisville, Metro Hall downtown and the Big Four Bridge will be lit in blue and white Tuesday night, the colors of Israel's flag, to show the city's support for the people of the war-torn country.

As of Tuesday afternoon, at least 14 American citizens had been killed. Calling the Hamas attack an act of "pure unadulterated evil," President Joe Biden said U.S. citizens are among hostages captured by Hamas over the weekend. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that at least 20 Americans were unaccounted for after the Hamas attacks.

The AP also reported that the war's death toll was expected to grow as Israel pummeled the Gaza Strip with airstrikes, sending Palestinians fleeing into U.N. shelters as the war nears its fifth day.  

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