It has been one year since the Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the capture of 253 hostages, 101 of which remain in captivity to this day. On what has become known as “the Black Sabbath,” over 1,000 were killed in an attack that has been referred to as “the deadliest attack on the Jews since thsiegele Holocaust.”
On Sunday, October 6, a commemoration ceremony was held by Jewish for Good to honor those who were killed or taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023. Partnering organizations sponsoring the event included Judea Reform Congregation, Kehillah Synagogue, Beth El Synagogue, Chabad of Durham-Chapel Hill, and the Beit Am.
The ceremony included prayers, music, and speakers to honor the victims of 10/7. Among those who remain in captivity is North Carolina native Keith Samuel Sigel, a member of Beth El Synagogue.
“For everyone in this room, I don’t have to tell you what a difficult year it has been, waking up each day and checking the news from overnight, going through each season, each holiday, for the first time without those we have lost,” Ari Medoff, President of the Board of Jewish for Good, said in his opening statement. “We are here to mourn the over 1400 innocent lives murdered and hostages taken on that terrible day of October 7, 2023. It is an unfathomable loss. It feels so fresh and raw, yet we’ve been through so much in the year since. For some in this room, you’ve lost friends, family members, and neighbors. We see you, and we are here for you. For others in this room, we are grieving for names and faces we never knew but are now inscribed in our hearts. Tonight’s ceremony will be personal, and we will hear from some of those who had loved ones who were murdered that day.”
Attendees were also able to light a candle in memory of a loved one who had lost their life.
The next speaker was Eila Voloshen, a longtime member of the Israel Center Va’ad and the American Jewish and Israeli communities.
“The October 7th events are unparalleled by any means or measured events which resulted in shockwaves and upheavals in Israel’s civil society and among Israelis and Jews across the globe were among the most difficult we ever experienced,” said Voloshen in her opening statement.
She described the events of that day as “the deadliest terrorist attack” in Israel’s history, which began at 6:29 am “…under a heavy barrage of rocket fire, thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and disabled the early detection system along the fence that separates the Gaza Strip from Israel. Riding on vehicles and equipped with weapons, they infiltrated IDF bases, kibbutzim in the Gaza Envelope, and the nearby towns. By air and on foot, they made their way to the Re’im Park, where thousands of Israelis were partying at the Nova festival. They raped, they mutilated bodies, they looted everything they could get their hands on, and, before leaving, set homes and other property on fire, in addition to burning people alive. Hundreds were taken hostage to the Gaza Strip.”
The Hamas attack came when hundreds were attending the Nova Music Festivals, and 369 young Israelis were murdered by Hamas.
“During the October 7th attack, 860 civilians (nearly half of them at the music festivals) and 578 soldiers, law enforcement officers, Shin Bet personnel, and first responders were murdered. Thousands were wounded, of which hundreds were in critical condition,” said Voloshen. “Two hundred and fifty-one people were abducted to the Gaza Strip, including children, women, senior citizens, foreign nationals, and soldiers.72 were killed or murdered, and 37 of them were brought back to be buried in Israel. One hundred and one innocents are still held captive.”
The names of those who were killed, connected to someone in the North Carolina Jewish community, were read aloud. A memorial candle was lit in honor of those who were killed.
The ceremony included a rendition of “We Will Dance Again” lyrics and music by Dana Weiss (Israeli journalist) and Gal Samohaa, written to honor the memory of the victims of the attack.
On Sept. 24, Paramount Plus released “We Will Dance Again,” a documentary on Oct. 7.
The congregation also recited “the Mourner’s Kaddish.”
Tom Rizman, the Community Shaliach, told the story of Capt. Roey Biber (28), a member of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) was killed in the line of duty defending civilians during the attacks. Capt. Biber was a team commander in the Combat Engineering Corps’ Yahalom unit from Tzur Moshe.
“He enlisted in the elite Yahalom unit, where he demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership,” recounted Rizman. “After five years of service, Roy began a new chapter in his life –he moved to Be’er Sheva with his partner Maya and started studying mechanical engineering. On October 7th of last year, Roy was called back to his unit as a reservist. He did not hesitate for a moment and went out to defend the country and its values. Unfortunately, Roy was killed in the line of duty. Roy gave everything he had for the homeland, and he stands as an example and a role model for us all.”
Liran Lavion shared the tragic story of her friends, Niv Raviv and Nirel Zini, who Hamas murdered.
“We have a duty to acknowledge and share the stories of the innocent individuals who were murdered, massacred, burned, raped, and violently abused,” said Lavion. “I spoke only to Nirel that morning, as Niv didn’t answer my calls. Nirel answered and whispered, that terrorists have invaded the Kibbutz, he told me that Niv is hiding under the bed in the shelter room, and promised to protect her. Suddenly, at 9:58 am, my phone rang – It was Nirel. I wish I knew exactly what he said in that 33-second call. The only thing I heard was: ‘Please Pray for us!’ and the call disconnected.”
Hamas shot Niv, and Nirel was found beheaded outside their home.
Another victim was Aviv Bar Am, who was killed in Kfar Aza while defending his kibbutz. His mother, Hanita, shared her experience on that day and recounted the death of her son, Aviv.
The ceremony ended with the congregation singing the Ha Tikvah, Israel’s national anthem.
“This evening marks a difficult milestone; a year since war like no other broke out in Israel,” Jill Masden, CEO of Jewish for Good, told the Carolina Journal. “As a community, we come together to remember and honor the victims and bring awareness to the hostages still in captivity. This community-wide service demonstrates the way we come together in difficult times with the broadest range of organizations and participants.”