Thousands gather at Denver temple for commemoration event for October 7 attacks

DENVER (KDVR) — Thousands of people came together at a temple in Denver on Monday night to grieve a year after Hamas attacked Israel, killing hundreds.

At Temple Emanuel in Denver, many gathered for the commemoration event, remembering and honoring the 1,200 killed one year ago in terrorist attacks.

“Coming together, sharing our grief, sharing our remembrances, praying for peace and praying for the release of the hostages in Israel,” said Brandon Rattiner, senior director of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Rattiner said that’s the goal of the 10/7 commemoration event. More than 1,700 people came to the temple to grieve with each other a year after the attacks.

“That insecurity and that anxiety is coming to the Jewish community,” said Rattiner.

It isn’t just the Jewish community paying respects today, either.

“We have 1,200 flags,” said Father Phil Eberhart of Resurrection Anglican Fellowship in Greenwood Village.

Each flag represents a person lost a year ago in Israel.

“That event actually opened doors for us to have relationships more openly with our Jewish neighbors,” said Eberhart.

A support for one another that Eberhart says goes beyond any religious differences.

“It’s not a church thing or a religion thing,” said Eberhart. “It’s a humanity thing.”

Rattiner agrees and appreciates the support.

“We’ve been real grateful for our allies in elected office, other religious communities and other marginalized communities who have recognized that their hearts are big enough to hold everybody’s heartbreak,” said Rattiner.

Eberhart says they plan to keep the Israel flags and put them out every Oct. 7 from now on.

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