‘We saw that with our own eyes’: Jewish community reflects one year after the Israel-Hamas war began

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Hundreds gathered at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center Monday night to remember lives lost from the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, marking one year since the unprecedented strike in the Gaza Strip.

More than 600 people signed up for the event hosted by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

The night filled with music, prayer, and solemnity began with the reading of roughly 1200 people who lost their lives during the Oct. 7 attacks.

Maya Eckstein, chair of the Israel Education and Advocacy Committee for the Federation told 8News the day of solidarity was one in need of togetherness.

“I have been particularly heartened by my non-Jewish friends who have reached out to me, and some of them I reached out to myself today, just to thank them because their ally-ship, their empathy, their understanding has been to critical to our ability in the Jewish community to heal,” Eckstein said.

Eckstein has also participated in one of the multiple solidarity missions held by the federation.

During her trip to Israel back in March, Eckstein describes to 8News the devastation she and others saw firsthand.

“We went to Kibbutz Nir Oz– 80% of that Kibbutz was demolished,” she explained. “I believe it’s 45—43 of its residents were murdered, another 75 were taken hostage—we saw that with our own eyes, just the complete devastation.”

Members of the Jewish community and surrounding areas were present along with officials on the state and local level were also in attendance.

Among the various speakers to take the stage was Governor Glenn Youngkin making an executive decision on the day itself.

“I Glenn Youngkin do hereby recognize Oct, 7, 2024, as a day of remembrance for the victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel,” Youngkin said. “I announce this day in the Commonwealth of Virginia and I call this observation to the attention of all our citizens.”

The Jewish community also called for an end to antisemitism, which officials say many have faced in the Central Region.

The community told 8News it is going to take those of good conscience, along with parents and teachers to teach the future generation about tolerance and embracing religious minorities.

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