By Karen Rubin, News-Photos-Features.com , [email protected]
One year after the October 7 massacre of 1200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 hostages, a community-wide memorial and commemoration was held in Central Park, New York City to honor the heroes, remember those brutally killed and kidnapped on that horrific day, and demand the release of the remaining 101 hostages.
Organized by the UJA Federation of New York, the 5,000 gathered heard from survivors of the Nova massacre, bereaved parents, and hostage family members who shared their stories. More than 50 rabbis of every denomination led a deeply moving communal Kaddish; an interfaith delegation offered their prayers for unity and peace. Spirits were lifted by the voices of teens from local high school choirs, along with renowned singers David Broza, Eden Golan, and Regina Spektor,
Here are highlights:
New York elected officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, US Senator Charles Schumer, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and NYC Mayor Eric Adams light memorial candles © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com New York elected officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, US Senator Charles Schumer, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and NYC Mayor Eric Adams light memorial candles © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com 50 New York area rabbis lead the Kaddish, the mourner’s prayer © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Ron Segev, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival massacre on October 7, recounts four hours of terror as he, his brother and friends ran for their lives, dodging bullets. They finally found a car, drove back to pick up people, got 12 people out. His friend was pregnant and has since delivered a baby. He founded Tribe of Nova foundation.”We have to keep fighting anti-Semitism.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Choirs from Heschel High School, Ramaz Upper School and Sar High School © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of Omar Neutra, who grew up on Long Island and one of seven Americans among the 101 hostages still held captive, plead for the release of hostages. “We feel grief, layer upon layer, we felt buried alive. Omar was born one month after Sept. 11th terror attack in NYC, he marked his 22nd birthday in captivity and will spend his 23rd birthday in captivity. He is a descendent of Holocaust survivors on both sides of the family. “We are caught up in a geopolitical nightmare – we feel the hostages are not the priority… This is not a political issue. Omar and 100 others are running out of time… Every moment is risk to their lives. Israel in direct conflict with Iran for the second time…any attempt to de-escalate conflict must begin with the release of hostages. Bring them home. A ceasefire would relieve suffering on all sides. But also clear ongoing military pressure in Gaza that is risking lives of hostages. A deal for the release is the only viable path. But it requires political will that is lacking. Push Hamas’ patrons, bring Israel back to the negotiation table… There is no victory in Israel without hostages coming home so we as Jews can move forward…Bring them home.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Choirs from Heschel High School, Ramaz Upper School and Sar High School © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com An Interfaith Leaders of New York delegation – Pastors William Devlin, Reggie Stutzman, Reverenc Charles Galbreath, Patrick Molloy, Father Ryan Muldoon, Iman Muhammad Shahidullah, and Bishop Nancy Rosario, led by Bishop Mitchell Taylor. “The spirit of unity transcends our differences,” mourning those who have been lost “while committing us to a world where love prevails over hate.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Israel’s Consul to the United Nations, Ofir Akunis joins with family members of abducted, Rabbi Doron Perez, father of Captain Daniel Perez; Na’ama and Nabav Miran, siblings of Omri Miran; Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of Omer Neutra; Sigal Steiner Manzuri, mother of murdered victims Norel and Roya. “One year ago, the Devil himself invaded our country. For one year, Hamas holding 101 innocent Israelies, Americans and citizens of 20 countries as hostages,” Ambassador Akunis said. Since then, Israel has been fighting for its life, eliminating terror threats on our doorstep. Bringing home the people and restoring peace to borders is our duty. Hamas uses Israeli hostages and Gazans as human shields – hospitals, mosques, schools, kindergartens. Our brave solders risk everything to save a human life, these modern day Maccabeans.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Dan Och, UJA Federation © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Israel’s Eurovision superstar, Eden Golan, performs “October Rain” at the UJA Federation October 7 Commemoration. Eurovision, pressured to ban Israel from the competition, required Golan to remove reference to October 7 in her song “Hurricane,” and she endured death threats and vicious anti-Semitic attacks. In May, she performed at a rally in Tel Aviv to demand the release of the hostages and marched on UJA’s float on Israel Day in New York City along with a huge contingent representing the hostages. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com David Broza, joined by the Tzofim performs at the UJA Federation October 7 Commemoration. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson of Congregation Kehilath Jesurun, leads the prayer for Israel’s defense forces. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue leads the prayer for Israel. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Regina Spektor sings the “Avinu” prayer, and the moving melody, “Eli, Eli,” a song written in 1942 by Hungarian Jewish WWII resistance fighter Hannah Szenes just before being killed and set to music by Israeli composer David Zehavi in 1945, at the UJA Federation October 7 Commemoration © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Three cantors lead the national anthems of the United States and Israel © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com Bring them home, now. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com __________________________
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