ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Thousands of Jewish leaders, community members and elected officials gathered at a temple in Essex County earlier this week to mark a solemn anniversary: October 7.
Nearly 3,000 people attended the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ’s “October 7: Marking One Year” event, which took place Monday at B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills.
Organizers said the event was held to memorialize the fallen and pray for the hostages still being held in captivity – as well as to say thank you to the community for its support in a time of need.
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Nine chairs were put on display, with eight of those representing the people who died in the Oct. 7 attack, as well as those still held captive. The ninth chair represented soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces who have fallen since that day.
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Photos of the memorial trees of unity which the federation commissioned to commemorate October 7 were shown at the event. The two tree sculptures – one for the group’s headquarters in Whippany and one for one of its partnership communities, Ofakim, which lost 53 community members on that day – represent the “the unwavering connection and living bridges that unite communities,” organizers said.
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The event was a partnership with 85 local community organizations, and was co-chaired by Daniella and Ben Hoffer and Deborah and Gregg Jacob.
Elected officials in attendance included Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, Attorney General Matt Platkin, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, and nearly two dozen other state senators, assembly members, mayors, town council members and county commissioners.
The evening featured speakers from the Greater MetroWest Community, including the event leadership: federation president Michael Goldberg and interim CEO Steven Levy.
“A Kaddish for October 7th is a Kaddish for an Israel and Jewish people, who will never be the same as they were before that fateful day, which changed us forever,” Levy said.
THE COST OF WAR
People around the world held vigils on Monday. The day marked the anniversary that Hamas – which has been designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. – attacked Israel last year, killing nearly 1,200 people. In addition, about 250 hostages were taken to Gaza, where many of them still remain.
The human cost of war has also been heavy in Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities say nearly 42,000 people have been killed since the fighting escalated. Most of the 2.3-million population has been displaced from their homes, Reuters reported. Events have been taking place to memorialize the lives lost in Palestine this week, including a march held in Paterson.
The attack on Oct. 7, 2023 marked a drastic escalation in a conflict that has been raging for decades. Civilian casualties have since been heavy on both sides, and have included family members of New Jersey residents.
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