On Sunday morning, Feb. 23 a candlelight vigil was held at the Livingston Oval to remember the four kedoshim who were returned to Israel last week: Oded Lifshitz; and Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, HY”D.

An estimated 500 people joined together to mourn their loss, to express gratitude for the return of those hostages who have come home alive, and to commit to continuing to daven and perform mitzvot until every last hostage is returned.

Speakers at the event included Rabbi James Proops of Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center; Rabbi David Vaisberg of Temple B’nai Abraham; Rabbi Simeon Cohen of Temple Beth Shalom; Joshua Commer, co organizer; Ed Meinhardt, mayor of Livingston; Rosy Bagolie (D-Essex, Passaic); and Suzy Lugashi, co organizer.

Keith Mendelson of Livingston sang Hatikvah and the National Anthem to close the event.

This event, organized only 48 hours earlier on Friday, February 21, was attended by the full Livingston town council as well as other local politicians, and had security provided by the Livingston police department.