One Year Later: Israeli Consulate and IAC Honor Oct 7 Victims with Memorial of Unity & Resilience

One Year Later: Israeli Consulate and IAC Honor Oct 7 Victims with Memorial of Unity & Resilience

By: Fern Sidman

On Monday evening, a powerful memorial ceremony was held at Manhattan’s Park East Synagogue to honor the lives lost and the ongoing resilience of the Israeli people in the aftermath of the October 7th, 2023, Hamas massacre. Co-hosted by the Consulate General of Israel in New York and the Israeli-American Council (IAC), the event brought together over 600 attendees, including dignitaries, community leaders, and families of fallen soldiers. The gathering, held following the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah, was a call for unity and solidarity during challenging times.

In his address, Ambassador Ofir Akunis, Consul General of Israel in New York, underscored Israel’s steadfast commitment to defense. “We are fighting our enemies – who are the whole world’s enemies – on seven fronts. We are not giving up or slowing down. We will defend our people – from Tehran to Yemen, from Rafah to Beirut,” he declared. Akunis’s remarks emphasized Israel’s role in combating international terror and hinted at a shifting geopolitical landscape, describing a vision of a “new Middle East” marked by stability and free from terrorist figures such as Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and Hamas chieftain Yayha Sinwar. Akunis concluded by calling on the international community to pressure Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages, urging unified support for Israel’s fight for justice.

Elan Carr, the Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism under former President  Trump from 2019 to 2021 and CEO of the Israeli-American Council, reflected on the resilience and unity of the Jewish people in the wake of tragedy. “Although this year has been one of devastating tragedy, the Jewish people have extracted from the blood, the death and the ash of October 7th a most powerful force: Jewish unity,” Carr noted. He emphasized that while there remains work to be done, the Jewish community stands more connected and determined than ever. He attributed this unity as a fitting tribute to the victims of the brutal Hamas massacre and a powerful response to adversity, stating that such solidarity will ultimately lead to triumph.

Mia Schem, a young woman kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, delivered a moving address in which she detailed the trauma of her captivity and her determination to see all hostages returned. She shared, “A year has passed. My body is here, but my innocence remains in the fields of blood, and my heart remains captive in Gaza with those five young women still held there.” Her words resonated deeply with the audience, conveying both the pain of her experience and her newfound strength. “Today, I stand before you. I am no longer a girl. I am a strong woman – who won’t rest until every single hostage is brought back from the depths of hell,” she vowed.

Among the bereaved families in attendance was Ayelet Samerano, who lost her son Jonathan to Hamas militants. Addressing the assembly, she shared the anguish of waiting for news of her son and other captives, some of whom, she emphasized, were UNRWA workers. “My son is in exile. Our hostages are there. It’s been a whole year that I have been waiting for good news. I have no day. I have no night. I have no knowledge. I have only faith and prayer. My Yonti – and 100 other hostages – are waiting to your salvation,” she expressed.

Avi Harush, father of the late Sergeant Rif Harush, who gave his life in battle against Hamas in Gaza, addressed the audience with heartfelt words that drew attention to the need for unity within Israel. “In these difficult days that we, as a people and as a nation – are going through – I think it would be good for us to see the virtues of each and every one of our friends, rather than their shortcomings, and to let no hatred arise between us,” Harush remarked. “The people of Israel, especially now, must be united.” His message, imbued with personal loss and hope, resonated deeply with attendees, emphasizing the critical importance of solidarity in the face of adversity.

In a statement, Shelly Pitman, founder and CEO of the La’Aretz Foundation, one of the event’s partner organizations alongside Israel’s Ministry of Defense, spoke to the collective strength of the Jewish people. “We stand united as one people. As we continue to recover and defend our nation as one, we do so not as individuals, but together,” Pitman said, adding that the community honors the memories of the fallen by “forging a future grounded in unity and resilience.” Her words highlighted a commitment to remembrance while also focusing on the future, grounded in strength and resilience.

The ceremony drew numerous dignitaries, including Consuls General from ten nations and influential leaders from the American Jewish community. Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Senior Rabbi of Park East Synagogue, shared words of reflection and prayer, while Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, the synagogue’s cantor, delivered a prayer for Israel’s welfare, reinforcing the solemnity of the event. Israeli singer Yagel Oshri, whose music gained national prominence in Israel following the October 7th attacks, performed three stirring songs, further uniting attendees in a shared moment of strength and remembrance.

A powerful photography exhibition, “Our Hope Lives On: In the Eyes of Heroes,” was unveiled as part of the ceremony. The collection, dedicated to Israel’s reservist soldiers who stepped forward to protect their homeland, honored the bravery and dedication of these men and women during one of Israel’s most critical moments. The photographs captured the courage and resolve of Israel’s defenders, serving as a visual tribute to the sacrifices made in defense of the nation.