Rockville Centre synagogues reflect on October 7 attacks

It has been one year since the unprovoked attacks carried out by the terrorist organization Hamas, which claimed the lives of more than 1,200 civilians who were brutally massacred in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival near the Gaza border.

The attacks, which included numerous missile strikes, were orchestrated as part of a coordinated assault on Israel during the Hebrew holiday Simchat Torah—a celebration marking the beginning of a new cycle of Torah readings, which takes place each year following the festival of Sukkot.

This surprise attack would ultimately send the region into war. It is the fifth military conflict in the Gaza region since 2008 and one of the most significant military engagements since the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Just a few short days following Rosh Hashanah, members of the Rockville Centre community joined together at Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David on Sunday, Oct. 6, in a show of solidarity and support with the people of Israel. It was an afternoon of silent prayer for the safe release of the 101 hostages still in captivity and mourning for all those who lost their lives on that fateful day.

“The October 7th commemoration in Rockville Centre was a beautiful and inspiring demonstration of unity as three Jewish movements came together in solidarity to show support for our Israeli brothers and sisters,” Rabbi Michael Cohen of Central Synagogue Beth Emeth, said. “It was a profound reminder of the strength that emerges when our diverse community unites in the face of sorrow and adversity.” 

Cohen said that the event emphasized the message of home, and together with congregants, residents and elected officials, they reflected on the resilience of the Jewish people and the importance of looking to the future with “eyes undimmed, and vigor unabated.”

“In our collective grief and existential angst, we find strength, and in our shared hope, we discover the power to triumph and rebuild,” Cohen said. “This gathering embodied the spirit of perseverance and the unwavering hope that sustains us.”

Over the past year of this ongoing military conflict there has been a surge of antisemitic hate speech. It has been seen on college campuses, at rallies, spread across social media, and used to deface Jewish institutions on Long Island and elsewhere across the nation.

The Anti-Defamation League, which fights antisemitism and hate speech, recently reported that there have been more than 10,000 antisemitic incidents across the United States since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, representing a more than 200 percent increase compared the previous year. According to the ADL, it is the highest number of incidents recorded in a single year period since the League began tracking them in 1979.

Rabbi David Lerner of Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David in Rockville Centre invited the leaders of neighboring synagogues, including Rabbi Cohen and Rabbi Mendel Gurkov of the Chabad of Rockville Centre, who joined in participating in the Oct. 7 remembrance service. Together, the three rabbis joined on the bimah in a display of unity, reminding the community of the importance of togetherness in the face of such divisive and uncertain times.

“The Jewish people have a long memory,” Rabbi David Lerner of Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David, said. “We gather today and blow the shofar as a rallying cry to the heavens, testifying that we will never forget our fight against evil that not only threatens us but all of humanity. We will never forget our hostages. We will never forget our fallen. And we will never forget our allies in this fight. Am Yisrael Chai. We will be victorious.”