In a couple of weeks, we will be marking the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 massacre. No doubt it will be a day that Hamas and its evil supporters will be celebrating the death of 1,200 innocent people and the injuries to thousands of others. But how should we, as a Jewish community, mark the anniversary of this tragedy, especially while still fighting a war against Hamas and Hezbollah?
I spoke to Josh Joseph, the Executive Vice President and COO of the Orthodox Union, about how the Jewish community should commemorate this horrible day in Jewish history — and when.
“From the beginning, we have experienced Oct. 7 together as a nation and also as individuals,” said Joseph. “How do we respond? How do we react? In some ways, our reactions should be all together. And in another sense, we should each have our individual responses. So for some, commemorating 10/7 is right; for others, remembering and connecting will be more relevant on Simchat Torah. The answer then? Either … or both. Rav Itchemayer Morgenstern explained that ‘ke-ish echad be-lev echad’ isn’t just about bnei Yisrael encamping at Har Sinai together as a group. It is also about each of us bringing our strengths, our personal experiences, our Torah connections, in our own ways, and doing it all as one.”
The OU has prepared a document for its member synagogues which makes suggestions on how we, as an Orthodox community, might choose to commemorate the massacre. Though the actual yahrzeit that we should commemorate is on Shemini Atzeret, we should also consider marking the secular 10/7 in our shuls and communities, given that the secular date will be noted and commemorated all around us. This commemoration may have both internal and external dimensions.
This year, 10/7 is on the 4th of Tishrei, during the 10 days of penitence. It is a time when many community members will be very open to an event featuring teshuva, tefillah and tzedakah, whether held for individual shuls or several shuls joining together. Many Jewish community federations will be hosting commemorations. Recognizing that each community has its own dynamics, Orthodox shuls should consider reaching out to the organizers to engage in partnership and planning, ensuring as well that the program will be sensitive to all parts of the community. Though the federation event might have a different tone than the one you might make in your shul, Orthodox participation in a community-wide event would meaningfully demonstrate commitment to broader unity at this important time.
In addition, the 10/7 anniversary is an opportunity to invite your elected officials and other communal and faith leaders to go on the record in expressing their support for the Jewish community and commitment to stand up to antisemitism.
What about Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah? Certainly, our chag should be markedly different this year, given the yahrzeit date. What can we do to incorporate meaningful moments to the Yom Tov service?
The OU has some good suggestions. As the true yahrzeit, these dates need to be marked in a manner that balances the need for a serious memorial with the simcha of the Yom Tov.
The OU suggests that rabbis address the Oct. 7 massacre in their Yizkor sermons, something that probably doesn’t need to be said as it will be almost impossible for them to avoid the topic. The OU also suggests that a collective Keil Maleh prayer be recited specifically for the victims of the Oct. 7 massacre.
Shuls might want to consider setting aside one Hakafa for a kumzitz, gathering the community in a circle to sing slow spiritually uplifting songs with this anniversary in mind.
Many shuls commonly hold a kiddush or meal during the Simchat Torah chag. Perhaps communities can add a siyum element to this event by organizing the learning of mishnayot in memory of all who have been killed.
Think about how your community can involve youngsters in meaningful ways, too. Cong. Kehilat Jeshurun in New York City recently asked the children of its shul members to paint a large canvas with 1,200 red kalaniyot, a beautiful red flower that grows in the area of the kibbutzim that were invaded. The canvas was presented to the community as a powerful artistic memorial to the 1,200 individuals who were murdered by Hamas last year, a tangible reminder demonstrating our love for those who perished and our hopes for the future. The canvas will remain on display at the shul for the High Holidays through Oct. 7.
If possible, synagogues should consider inviting eyewitnesses to the Oct. 7 terror to speak to community members — there is nothing more powerful than hearing from those who experienced the tragedy firsthand. There are several people who were at the Nova Festival or escaped from a kibbutz that was attacked by Hamas who have spoken to Jewish groups in the past year, and who would be willing to come to your shul and tell the story they personally witnessed.
This year will certainly be a challenge, as we will need to mark the anniversary while still fighting a war. God willing, when we commemorate the Oct. 7 massacre next year, the war against Hamas and Hezbollah will be over — and Israelis will once again be able to live safely and securely in their land, without the barrage of daily rocket fire.
Michael Feldstein, who lives in Stamford, is the author of “Meet Me in the Middle” (meet-me-in-the-middle-book.com), a collection of essays on contemporary Jewish life. He can be reached at [email protected].
