As Jews and Israelis globally marked a year since the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, congregants and community members gathered on October 7th at Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Hingham for a memorial service remembering the victims and heroes of the same day one year ago. The memorial service was led by the clergy, Rabbi Eric Berk and Cantor Steven Weiss.
On October 7th, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack infiltrating Israel, killing approximately 1,200 Israelis and citizens of other nationalities, taking 250 people hostage and setting off a war with Israel that has devastated the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip— leaving over 40,000 dead. One hundred and one hostages remain in Gaza, seven of whom are Americans. Fewer than 70 hostages are still believed to be alive.
Those in attendance at the memorial service last week on October 7th, 2024 included congregants of Sha’aray Shalom and many Hingham residents in solidarity with the Jewish community. Some students from the new Jewish Student Union at Hingham High School were also in attendance.
Rabbi Eric Berk opened the memorial service sharing that the shofar, the ram’s horn typically blown this time of year during the Jewish high holy days would be sounded three times throughout the service “to take us from the wailing of unbearable loss, to the brokenness of grief, to the hopeful wholeness of recovery through resilience.”
A commemoration message adapted for the memorial service from the Central Conference of American Rabbis from October 7: One Year Later implored that “Today, on the anniversary of the worst violence against Jews since the Holocaust, our task is to bear witness, to remember, to honor, and to mourn.”
Hingham High School student and Vice President of the Jewish Student Union, Troy Leibovici, said, “Every day, I hope for the return of the hostages and for peace in the region.”
Another student member, sophomore Henry Hoch expressed that, “October 7th was a tragic event and a horrible time for the people of Israel and the rest of the Jewish community.”
Joe Fisher, current chair of the Hingham Select Board also attended the memorial service and shared that “I’m here on behalf of the town of Hingham to make it clear that this town fully supports the Congregation and we are here when and as you need us.”
One year after October 7th, a seemingly never-ending war wages on multiple fronts. The commemoration service at Congregation Sha’aray Shalom, whose building name translates to “Gates of Peace” ended with the singing of Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem. Hatikvah literally translates to “hope.”
