Learning from Parshat Shoftim, read on the Shabbat following the funerals of Israeli/American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and Israeli hostages Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Alexander Lobanov, 32, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25, motivated the West Orange community to “affirm their responsibility for others.”
For an hour just after nightfall on Sunday, September 8, a portion of Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange was lit up with hundreds of candles, alternating between wax and electronic, as a packed crowd of multi-generational participants held a vigil in memory of the murdered hostages and all victims of the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel. As many as 400 people waved Israeli and American flags while walking in the quickly planned procession.
The MetroWest Israel Action Committee and Israel 365 NJ sponsored the multi-faith event. Several participants not only held candles and flags but marched with life-size cardboard cutouts showing images of the hostages who were executed in Gaza. Along with all the printing needs, the cutouts were supplied by community member Neal Alexander of Sandy Alexander Printing in Clifton.
Backed by ample police presence, those peacefully gathered walked in solidarity for several blocks, from West Orange High School to Congregation AABJ&D, the new home of a nine-foot, 300-pound milk carton showing some of the hostages still being held in Gaza, with a plea for their safe return home.
Along with his daughter Nava, 15, Andrew Yolin of West Orange attended the hour-long vigil. Yolin stated that “the horror that the hostages have gone through has everyone trying to figure out what they can do.”
Mark Hausdorf, his daughter Ilana Turk, and her children Serena, 10, and Liza, 9, of West Orange, joined the procession in solidarity with Israel after the execution of the six hostages. Turk said the children knew about the hostages being captured and murdered. Hausdorf added that “no other country would put up with hostages being murdered.”
Julia Feiler, who lives nearby, said, “These are our people, we’re a small community compared to everyone else. We were given the Torah and want to carry on the legacy of the Jewish nation. Feiler attended the vigil “to support Israel with the horrible things being done to our people.”
Torin Rutner of West Orange was walking and holding a cutout of a hostage that was given to him to display. He said he was there “as a Jewish/American to support our Israeli brethren in their time of need.” Being seven thousand miles away, he was happy that his shul put the vigil together “and wanted to be as vocal as possible in America to do whatever possible to help the hostages.”
Holding the Israeli flag high above the crowd was Joana Rothenberg of Livingston. Rothenberg said she was happy to help when asked if she would carry the flag. She came to the vigil “to keep the memories of the hostages alive and to continue the work for the surviving hostages to come home to their families.”
Members of the somber crowd were invited to surround the milk carton in its new location for a short program. Moshe Glick, a cofounder of the MetroWest Israel Action Committee and co-president of Israel 365 NJ, commented on the rallying cry to “bring them home.” Those on the side of “humanity, justice and peace,” Glick asserted, “should have a rallying cry directed at the Hamas terrorists demanding the release of all the hostages right now.” He suggested the world’s attention should be focused on destroying the terrorist organization.
Larry Rein, deputy mayor of West Orange and a co-founder of the MetroWest Israel Action Committee, read the names of the murdered hostages. Keith Mendelson of Livingston led the crowd as the Star-Spangled Banner was amplified by Chaim Goldman, another co-founder and member of the committee stationed at an Israeli flag-decorated truck. The singing of Hatikvah followed, and then two of the local rabbis, Eliezer Zwickler of AABJ&D and Marc Spivak of Congregation Ohr Torah, also in West Orange, addressed the attendees.
As they spoke of Hamas being “100% responsible for this modern-day pogrom,” they asked everyone to take on extra mitzvahs as we approach Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, rabbi of the Sephardic shul at AABJ&D, was called upon to make a MiSheberach.
The milk carton was the brainchild of Moshe Glick. Philanthropist Robert Benrimon, a friend of the Glicks and owner of Skyframe in West Orange, designed and donated the nine-foot piece. While still showing missing hostages, a sticker stamped “Murdered” was solemnly placed over the picture of Hersh.
Relocated from its original location just a mile down the road, in front of B’nai Shalom in West Orange, the altered milk carton now stands in front of AABJ&D, visible to those driving down Pleasant Valley Way.
The respectful crowd listened attentively and peacefully to the presenters and sang along again and again to “Acheinu” at the memorial’s closing. As the service ended, the crowd of sympathizers slowly dispersed, determined to continue the mission articulated by the speakers: to work hard, not waver or tire, and aim to do whatever can be done to cultivate awareness of the plight of the remaining hostages.
Sharon Mark Cohen, MPA, believes everyone deserves a legacy. Follow her at sharonmarkcohen.com
