As the one year anniversary of the tragic attacks of October 7 drew near, two friends came up with an initiative that would unite Jews worldwide by participating in a simple, meaningful act of remembrance.
Josh Shapiro of Highland Park, a student at Yeshiva Shor Yoshuv and a finance major at Touro University, and Tuvia Sablosky, a business entrepreneur and founder of Light to Unite, based in Brooklyn, met over the past year when they both worked for a HASC home in Brooklyn that cares for developmentally disabled adults. They developed the “Light to Unite” initiative, urging participants in four major cities—Jerusalem, Uman, New York City and Los Angeles—to each light a yahrzeit candle on Sunday, September 29 in memory of victims of the October 7 massacre and other persecutions in Jewish history.
Shapiro told The Jewish Link: “I am passionate about this effort because one of the things we’ve seen from history is that in the face of hate and antisemitism the one thing that has kept the Jewish people around is unity. By coming together to light a candle we are fighting that hatred and showing that no matter what, we will stand strong. When I grew up, I went to public school and I saw antisemitism around me, as one of the only religious Jews in the school. Since then, I recognized the importance of being proud of my identity.”
The Light to Unite effort was embraced by collaborators at more than 20 well-regarded groups, such as Chazaq. Project Inspire of Arizona, The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, The Shabbos Project, Thank You Hashem, Torah Links of Lakewood, the American Jewish Committee, and Beit Halochem USA. The collaborating groups shared information on the initiative with their supporters and news traveled far and wide.
The event publicity highlighted four opportunities for people to participate:
Jewish women could light candles in their homes on Friday night September 27;
A prerecorded college and university event on Sunday September 29;
A prerecorded event for women on Sunday September 29; and
A ‘main event’ on Sunday September 29.
It is difficult to gauge the collective response to this effort. But two anecdotal reports indicate that it was very well received.
Duvi Honig from the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce shared with The Jewish Link: “So many are seeking ways to reconnect, especially with the broader awakening of antisemitism, regardless of whether they are religious or not. So many lacked a vehicle to do something to unite us all in a simple but powerful manner, and that’s what the program, Light to Unite, is about. Reuniting with our heritage and showing Hashem no matter what galut put us through, we are uniting and proud Jews.”
The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce participated “through our vast networks (social and digital) as well as a full program together with Rabbi Yerachmiel Milstein calling all to unite emphasizing the strength of unity.” Honig added: “a special shoutout to Tuvia Sablosky for his leadership and effort of putting this together.”
Rabbi Dovid Britton of Congregation Shaare Tikvah said: “Besides the heartfelt words of the noted orator Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser, who graced the audience with his presence and brought light to the night, the event titled ‘Light to Unite’ that took place at the Flatbush Park Jewish Center was truly an inspiration to all, as we observed the phenomenon of all the attendees participating in the same action at the same time with the intent to unite as one.
“Another inspiration witnessed was the advantage taken to utilize the moment by lighting the candle for our brothers and sisters who were tragically taken from among us, while sanctifying the name of Hashem, with the intent to elevate their souls. ‘Who is like your nation, Israel, one nation in the land’ (Chronicles 17:21). This event truly brought this verse into action.”
Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected] and he welcomes reader feedback.
