Edmonton holds solemn memorial service for the victims of Oct. 7 massacre

A solemn memorial program was held in Edmonton to commemorate the victims of the October 7 massacre in Southern Israel by Hamas terrorists. Photo by Darcy Semeniuk.

By Regan Treewater

(Edmonton) – October 7th, 2023 is a date that will live on in the collective Jewish consciousness and for allies of Israel. Just as Americans can tell you where they were when they first found out that the Twin Towers collapsed, those within Jewish communities will never forget where they were when they first became aware that a highly organized band of terrorists had waged a full-scale assault on Israeli civilians.

In an opinion piece published in the Edmonton Journal to mark this dark anniversary, the Jewish Federation of Edmonton’s CEO, Stacy Leavitt-Wright, Steven Shafir, and Adam Zepp collectively wrote: “For our community, the 365 days since that fateful Saturday have been a painful blur. Nobody would have imagined that the war would continue, and that [over 100] of the hostages would remain in Hamas captivity 365 days later. Over the last year, Hamas continually refused to accept Israeli ceasefire offers. They used the living hostages to commit psychological warfare on Jews worldwide, including sexually assaulting them and executing some of them for sport.”

Portrayals of the ongoing conflict have been drastically one-sided in mainstream media, and world Jewry has suffered a surge in antisemitism: often with destructive outcomes as was seen at a Vancouver synagogue, and more recently at a Jewish girls school in Toronto. Although a joint Canadian-US effort did thwart a large-scale planned attack targeting Brooklyn’s Jewish communities several months ago, it seems as though new threats are arising daily, with minimalized coverage by local and national Canadian media.

Solidarity with the ongoing plight of the Jewish people was evident at a community memorial service held on October 7th, 2024, at Beth Israel Synagogue.  Members from the Iranian and East Indian communities, Christian groups, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, and local elected officials were in attendance. The Social Hall at Beth Israel Synagogue was filled to capacity with standing-room-only by the time the program began. The Hon. Nathan Cooper, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta welcomed the diverse crowd.

“The Jewish community has a long history of resilience, and it is that resilience that shines brightly in moments of darkness. You have shown incredible strength and solidarity in the face of adversity,” said Cooper. “Your voices, your story, your unwavering commitment to justice and peace inspires us all,” he offered with sincerity and grace.

“As a province, Alberta stands firmly against hatred and violence in all of its disgusting forms. Acts of terror not only target individuals and communities, but they threaten our shared values of tolerance, respect, and understanding.”

He went on to recount that as a symbol of solidarity, he sent the flag that flew at the legislature during a vigil for the hostages held in captivity last October, to his counterpart at the Kinesset. Reflecting on a visit he made to Israel, Cooper commented: “Standing there, seeing the remnants of the attack, touching the bullet holes in the walls, it was impossible to ignore the horrors of what happened on that day, and I will bear witness.”

There was not a single dry eye in the room as three compassionate community members read out the names of the hostages still being forcibly held prisoner by Hamas. Each name was recited with dignity and the highest respect. It was heartbreaking to realize how many families have multiple members continuing to endure the most deplorable of torture at the hands of sadistic terrorists. It was often difficult for the readers as they became visibly emotional, choking up between names.

Prayers were offered by Temple Beth Ora’s Rabbi Gila Caine, Beth Shalom’s Alisa Zilberstein, and Beth Israel Synagogue’s Rabbi Guy Tal. An event organizer, and volunteer, Cara Greenspan read a prayer for the speedy return of the hostages.

There were interludes of Israeli folk dance and musical performances as an uplifting addition to the proceedings.

“For many in Israel it is still October 7th, especially for the parents and families of the hostages in Gaza,” stated Stacey Leavitt-Wright. “As the war continues, and it will, we must not forget how it started. We know too well what is to come, that there will be efforts to demonize Israel and to create world equivalency. We need to remain steadfast in our solidarity with Israel and with one another.”

She continued by addressing the outcomes of October 7th being felt locally: “In our own community, we have faced difficulties: so many have been made to feel unsafe, so many have seen longstanding friendships rupture seemingly beyond repair, and have quite frankly begun to doubt if the place of Jews in North America is secure.”

She concluded by thanking the allies that came to show their support for their local Jewish neighbors and friends.  Following this, emcee Mike Sobel, introduced former Jewish Federation of Edmonton President Steven Shafir to share his reflections following two trips to Israel in the past year.

The ultimate take-away was more than just the inspiring words of the speakers who have proudly and honourably helped lift up Edmonton’s Jewish community in times of trial and hardship, but the silent allies in the audience  who sat in solidarity, many of whom had never set foot in a synagogue previously, but nevertheless felt so passionate and compelled by their support of the Jewish people and the Jewish homeland that they had to act.

Regan Treewater is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

 

 

Be the first to comment on "Edmonton holds solemn memorial service for the victims of Oct. 7 massacre"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*