Edmonton’s October 7th remembrance gathering emphasizes hope and friendship

by Regan Lipes

(AJNews) – On October 7, Jewish people around the world gathered to remember the victims and survivors of the October 7, 2023 massacre in southern Israel. In Edmonton, an event that focused on hope for the future was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Edmonton.

October 7, 2023, is a date that will, sadly, live on in infamy. It is not only indelibly etched into the collective memory of world Jewry, but a stain upon humanity, and a reminder that antisemitism is alive and flourishing in its malignancy. October 7 not only victimized Israelis, but also American, Canadian, Thai, French, Russian, Ukrainian, Nepalese, British, Argentinian, German, Romanian, Chene, Philippine, Austrian, Belarussian, Italian, Brazilian, Peruvian, South African, Sri Lankan, Tanzanian, Chilean, Spanish, Columbian, Cambodian, Australian, Honduran, Azeri, Eritrean, Irish, Swiss, and Turkish citizens.  This was a modern-day pogrom that became an attack on diverse international communities. Many Jews worldwide have begun to observe a personal day of fasting on October 7 to remember those who were murdered and the hostages who were tortured in captivity.

Three years past the massacre, the geopolitical situation for world Jewry is at a critical point. Communities brace themselves for the next report of antisemitic violence and individuals are no longer shocked when they face uncomfortable interactions or verbal attacks. This made the October 7, 2026, shared process of mourning especially necessary as Jews continue to collectively heal. For the Edmonton community this took the form of a sombre, but cathartic gathering at Beth Israel Synagogue.

“We gather carrying grief, memory, and the weight of a day that changed so much for Israel, for the Jewish people, and for communities around the world. And yet, even on a night like this, we gather with purpose: to remember, to support one another, and to affirm that hope and community are acts of strength,” offered Jewish Federation of Edmonton CEO Stacey Leavitt-Wright, at the gathering. Her words were comforting amidst a feeling of anxiety over rising antisemitism internationally. “October 7 is not only a date on the calendar. It is a rupture in Jewish history, and in the lives of families and communities whose names, stories, and losses we carry with us.”

The shul was filled with attendees from throughout the community, as well as valued allies.  Security was abundant, although everyone wished that such precautions were not necessary; thankfully there were no disruptive occurrences.

“Many of us are personally connected through family, friends, friends of friends, trips to Israel, documentaries, and the survivors and bereaved family members who have come to Edmonton to share what they lived through. Their courage has asked something of us: not only to listen, but to remember with care,” Leavitt-Wright continued.

Rabbah Gila Caine, from Temple Beth Ora, shared a moving prayer for those documenting the atrocities; she shared it in English:

“May the One who blessed our ancestors bless and protect those engaged in the work of documenting the atrocities of October 7, 2023. Documenting the acts of rape and torture, the acts of massacre, and the acts of deliberate murder of parents and children before each other’s eyes, so we may remember to the last generation.

Creator of Light and Darkness, watch over those who walk the paths of Darkness as they gather testimony to the acts of horror committed by Hamas operatives and their accomplices.

Maker of Peace and creator of Evil, strengthen the Documenters as they bravely enter the depths of Evil to study every photographed, recorded, written and recounted testimony of rape, gang rape, torture and murder. Murder of body and murder of soul.

Shekhinah source of life, protect those engaged in the work of documentation as they enter the Orchard of Impurity.

Pour Your love upon them like water so they may be purified. Bind their spirit – wounds, and cleanse them with the salt of the Covenant of Life and the Covenant of Peace, so that their spirit torn by terrible sights may heal.

As all the people of Israel pray for the return of the Documenters to our embrace in the Land of the living.”

The prayer was inspired by those who are documenting the testimonies of survivors, who experience the horrors of that day again-and-again with each memory shared. Rabbah Caine, while visiting Eretz Israel, met with Dr. Cochav Elkaya-Levy, who has dedicated herself to this important and admirable work.

The event co-chair, Farrel Shadlyn, welcomed Noga Vaisblat, Past-President of the Talmud Torah Society, and a current board member at the Federation, to introduce ShinShinim representatives Alma and Ofri, two exceptional young women who will call Edmonton home for the coming year as they infuse a bit of Israeli life into the community. Both women, from Northern Israel candidly spoke about how October 7th changed their lives, while expressing unwavering hope for the future. In the aftermath of the massacre both felt an increased desire to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. Reflecting on their own surroundings in Northern Israel, after October 7th they became more aware of the beautiful spirit of their friends and neighbours – Israelis who came together to provide assistance wherever possible. They also recognized the valuable contributions made by world Jewry.

Another guest speaker at the event was Alon Dotan, Director of The Jewish Agency for Israel‘s Global ShinShinim Program. He flew in from Israel only hours before the event. Dotan was so moved by the words of Alma and Ofri that he expressed that it is remarkable young people like them that give him hope for the future.

A significant moment in the evening’s program was a touching speech trumpeting friendship and solidarity delivered by Simon Moslehi, the President of the Iranian-Canadian Patriot’s Association of Edmonton; his words were sincere, compassionate, and healing. He began by sharing a public statement given by the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, through social media:

“To the people of Israel: I stand with you in grief, remembrance and solidarity on the third anniversary of October 7. We will never forget those murdered or the suffering of their families and the survivors. The Islamic Republic that armed and supported Hamas is the same regime that keeps Iranians in chains. When Iran is free, we will hold all those involved in these crimes accountable. Both our peoples deserve freedom and security. The bond between Iranians and Jews stretches back 2,500 years to Cyrus the Great. A free Iran will be a friend and partner to Israel.”

Pahlavi’s connection to the Jewish people goes beyond his continued public declarations of support for Israel.  Princess Iman Pahlavi, granddaughter of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, married American Jewish businessman Bradley Sherman at a civil ceremony in New York in May of 2025.  During a subsequent formal celebration the following month in Paris, the two were raised up on chairs by their guests, as the hora was danced.

Moslehi presented a beautiful replica of the Cyrus Cylinder to the Jewish community as a symbol of enduring Iranian-Jewish friendship. “For Iranians, Cyrus is one of the great figures of our ancient civilization, representing a legacy of leadership, tolerance, and respect for different peoples and traditions,” he explained. “For the Jewish people, his name is connected to liberation, return, and the restoration of Jerusalem,” he continued. “We, believe that a different future is possible, one in which our peoples are no longer separated by an ideology imposed to them, but connected again through friendship, dignity and peace,” he concluded.

The event was a reminder of the resilience of the Jewish people, and a tribute to those whose lives were tragically taken, and to those who survived.  “I remember October 7, 2023 like it was yesterday. And I know each of us carries our own recollection of the shock, the fear, and the days that followed, as the magnitude of what happened became clearer. But I also remember how quickly this community leaned toward one another. You came to our first vigil on October 9. You came to hostage vigils and commemorations,” shared Leavitt-Wright. Her words resonated.  October 7th made history as a tragedy unrivalled in recent memory, but October 8th marked a day of Jewish unification. The world has changed, and that impact is being felt daily, but commemorations like the one presented by Jewish Federation of Edmonton offer a resounding reminder that there is hope for a better future.

Regan Lipes is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter