50,000 City Jews Hold Prayer Vigil By Eric Lenkowitz http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/46136.htm April 22, 2002 -- In a mass showing of support for Israel, tens of thousands of Jews lined the streets of lower Manhattan yesterday, reading prayers and sharing in a dream for peace in the holy land. The Massive Tefilla Gathering - which lasted an hour and a half - brought together an estimated 50,000 Jews in a rally of solidarity along Water Street, between Fulton Street and Wall Street. News of the march spread strictly by word of mouth and was advertised at synagogues. Interest was so high, dozens of private buses were needed to carry the droves of families who came from Brooklyn and Queens. Many children came in for the rally as well, feeling the importance of a unified showing of praise for Israeli actions in the Middle East. "I came here today to show my faith in Israel and to pray to God to get our land back," said Yudi Herzberg, 13, who made the trip from Far Rockaway with his dad. "It's very moving to see so many Jews in one place." Judah Weinberger, 47, brought his family in from Teaneck, N.J., because he "felt the need to pray. "Everybody has an interest in helping out," he said. "I hope to send a strong message to the people of Israel and especially to people who misinterpret the events in the Middle East." Weinberger described so many people praying in unison as "very moving."