Today marks the one-year anniversary of the heinous attack of October 7, 2023, when 1,185 Israelis were brutally murdered and 251 hostages were forcibly taken from their homes into Gaza. It was a day that forever changed the lives of countless families and shattered Jews’ sense of safety and security worldwide.
On that fateful day, Hamas, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and proxy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, launched an unprovoked and deadly attack on Israel. They invaded Israeli territory and unleashed more than 5,000 rockets upon Israeli towns and cities. This attack became the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust—marked by indiscriminate violence, terror, and unimaginable atrocities. The victims came from all walks of life: Jews, Arabs, Christians, men, women, children, and the elderly.
In the year since, we have seen the unspeakable pain continue. Six hostages who were captured that day—Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin—were mercilessly executed just before they could be rescued. Their lives, stolen in an act of cruelty, remind us of the enduring grief that the families must bear.
Tragically, we still wait and pray for the safe return of the scores of hostages who remain captive in Gaza. The agony of their families is a burden that cannot be measured.
As we reflect on this past year, we are reminded that the conflict did not end with the events of that day. Iran and its terrorist proxies—Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—have continued their relentless attacks on Israel. Thousands of Israelis have been displaced from their homes, and the war against terror rages on, creating a climate of fear and instability for all those in the region.
Equally disturbing has been the rise in global antisemitism. Across North America, Jewish students have faced harassment and violence on college campuses, while Jewish institutions and communities have been targeted at unprecedented rates. Even here in New Jersey, we have witnessed a troubling increase in antisemitic incidents, further compounding the pain that many in our community already feel.
As we remember the lives lost and the suffering endured, it is critical that we condemn these acts of terror and remain united in our commitment to stand against Hamas and all forms of extremism. We must not waver in our resolve to combat antisemitism and protect the safety and dignity of every person.
Today, we offer our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the horrific attacks of October 7th and in the ongoing conflict. We stand with the people of Israel in their fight for security, peace, and justice, and we pray to our Father in Heaven to bring a swift end to the pain, suffering, and agony that so many have endured over the past year.
May He restore peace to Israel and bring comfort to all in mourning.
