09/26/2024
Community Gathering to Recall Oct. 7 Hamas Horrors
ABIGAIL PREISZIG | CJN
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
Magence
Oct. 7, 2024 marks one year since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people, kidnapping more than 250 others and drastically changing the Jewish world.
To commemorate the occasion, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland will host an outdoor community gathering to remember those who were lost or taken captive on Oct. 7, 2023, mourn all those killed in Israel and in Gaza, and pray for the day when neighbors can live side by side.
“Oct. 7th is, I think, for the rest of our history going to be an important date, and I think a lot of things changed on that day,” Noam Magence, event co-chair alongside his wife, Tova, and Mitchell and Kyla Schneider, told the Cleveland Jewish News. “… This event will be meaningful and the more people we have together, the more meaningful it is and the greater showing to Israel.”
The evening will include poems, prayers and songs in Hebrew and English as well as a testimonial from Rotem Sadeh, a wife and mother from Sderot who survived the Oct. 7 attacks, and local officials, he said.
The commemoration will provide community, healing and togetherness while showing solidarity with the people of Israel, the hostages and their families.
“We continue to think about them every day,” Magence, a Beachwood resident, said.
It will also allow the community to come together and comfort each other, he said.
“If anything, that day has told the importance of community,” he said. “I know most of my friends, certainly the days after but really this entire year, have sought community throughout this – people who understand what we’re all going through. I think being together on this day is important from that aspect as well.”
Additionally, it will show the Cleveland community how “incredible” and “strong” the Federation and the Cleveland Jewish community at large is, Magence, a congregant of Beachwood Kehila, said.
Following Oct. 7, 2023, the Federation mobilized immediately, he said. It hosted a rally the next day with 2,000 attendees, sent millions for humanitarian aid for Israel, launched a partnership with Kibbutz Kissufum, held numerous community events, organized buses for a rally in support of Israel in Washington, D.C., and launched multimedia advertising campaigns to combat Jewish hatred.
“We are very lucky to have such a strong Federation and strong leadership … and great leadership here,” he said. “… They just have a strong commitment to Israel, and it has shown very clearly since Oct. 7.”
Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Federation’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building at 25701 Science Park Drive in Beachwood. The hourlong program will begin at 6.
People from all faiths are invited to attend the free event. Mobility accommodation will be provided with prior notice.
Attendees must preregister. To preregister or for more information, visit bit.ly/4efInWW or contact Jaclyn Szaruga at jszaruga@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2900.
