Rabbi David Arias

A few months ago, Rabbi David Arias and his children were covering their heads in bomb shelters in Israel as rockets and drones rained down upon the nation from Iran and Lebanon.

“My two children learned about sirens, missiles and wars before they could learn English,” Arias said.

Now, Arias is in a quieter place leading Temple Judea in Fort Myers. The modern conservative Jewish congregation heralded his arrival in a recent installment ceremony before a packed synagogue sanctuary.

Interim Rabbi Bernard Eisenman introduced Arias and called him “one of a kind” while commending his wisdom. “He has a spiritual heart,” Eisenman said. Eisenman also lauded Arias for his pitch in reciting songs and prayers. “What a voice,” Eisenman said. “Just beautiful.”

Arias dedicated his ascension as rabbi of the synagogue to more than 100 hostages still being held in captivity in the Gaza Strip by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israel has been in a war with the terrorist organizations since the terrorist groups invaded Israel on Oct. 7 last year and killed more than 1,200 people, committed sexual assaults and kidnapped more than 250 people.

Arias said the hostages have been held “too long.” A year ago, Arias said he was representing the “only democracy in the Middle East” as a member of the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip as a truck driver and logistics operator.

“Israel respects life so much that it sends soldiers into Gaza rather than bomb it all,” Arias said. “This is how much Israel respects life compared to terrorists who kidnap babies.”

Speaking on the temple’s bema days after Israeli civilians were chased down and violently attacked in the streets of Amsterdam after a soccer match, Arias pointed to the assaults as “proof as to why we need an Israel.”

Arias remarked how Jews were once told in Europe during the reign of the Nazis “to go to Palestine” and now enemies of Israel tell Jews “they need to leave Palestine and go to Europe.”

Arias spoke to the challenges facing Jewry around the world. “No other religion in the world has been threatened the way Jews are,” he said.

Arias said that families are the center of the Jewish experience. Since the destruction of the first ancient temple in Israel by the Babylonians, Arias said “every house became a small temple.”

The answer to many of the problems Jews have faced has been education, Arias said.

“Education is the most successful business we can invest in,” he said.

A native of Chile, Arias is a multi-instrumentalist who plays piano and guitar. It’s something new for the congregation.

Fittingly, Arias closed the ceremony by playing the piano and leading the congregation in song which was followed by a performance by a musical group as the congregation enjoyed a festive lunch.

Temple Judea is at 14486 A&W Bulb Road, Fort Myers. For more about the temple and its services and programs, please call 239-433-0201, or visit its website.