On Monday, October 7, SAR students, faculty and community leaders gathered ‘on the steps’ commemorating the one year anniversary of that tragic day.
SAR Principal Binyamin Krauss opened: “We are looking forward to a bright, new, healthy and safe year. Today, though, it is our job to stop, be silent and think of those who had an unimaginably difficult year: to remember them, think of their families, let them know that as far away as we might be physically, we’re connected with Medinat Yisrael. We care about them every single day at the forefront of our tefillot. We ask Hashem to protect everyone and bring us a year full of only good things.”
Ron Segev, Nova Festival survivor, as he lit a memorial candle said, “I am happy to see how united you are as a Jewish community. I am happy to see this change. Believe in yourself. You can make a change; you can make a difference.”
Krauss continued, “I’ll never understand how people can choose to hurt others. We look for those who spend their lives doing the opposite. Today, we try to push past the sadness by thinking of the heroes we have met, real people, like Ron just said. Believe in people protecting Medinat Yisrael, spreading faith in humanity.” Krauss then recognized members of the SAR community who served this year.
SAR parent Shai Bernstein, an IDF reservist who served in Gaza, remarked, “I remember when I came back, my kids told me the school meets by the steps. I couldn’t understand what they meant.” Recalling the day he first came to the SAR steps, “I was standing here, and saw all of you, the kids, the faculty. It made me cry. We’re all different, right? Maybe me and some of my friends were in the army, but every one of you can find their part to spread awareness, raise money and help people who just need help.”
Congressman Ritchie Torres stated, “It’s hard to process that it’s been one year since October 7. After the Holocaust, the world made a promise to the Jewish people and all of humanity, ‘Never Again.’ That promise was broken on October 7. The one-year anniversary of October 7 is not only about remembering the lives lost, but also repairing the broken promise of ‘Never Again.’
“October 7 must never be repeated,” he continued. “The victims must never be forgotten. The perpetrators must be brought to justice. The hostages must be brought home. The antisemitism must be fought wherever and whenever and among whomever it appears. Israel must be protected. As your congressman, you have my word, we in Congress will ensure that Israel has the resources it needs to protect the Jewish nation, to prevent a repeat of October 7 and bring lasting peace to the Middle East. The time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time of renewal. The one-year anniversary of October 7 should be about renewing the sacred promise of ‘Never Again.’”
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, “We recognize this is a one-year recognition of an unimaginable tragedy that happened in the State of Israel, where violence erupted. Thousands of lives were destroyed and senselessly lost. The Jewish community will never be the same. We realize that October 7, for us, was another Holocaust perpetrated against the Jewish community. In moments like these, it’s really important for all of us to remember that our strength truly lies in our unity and not in division. In the days and the weeks following October 7, being personally involved, participating in a number of vigils, prayer sessions and rallies, I saw the resilience of the Jewish community. I saw the strength of the Jewish people here in the Bronx.”
Gibson added, “Now is never the time for violence, but for neighbors to stand together, to unify, embrace our shared humanity, standing in solidarity with everyone who is grieving and offering our support, love, prayers and compassion to everyone affected by October 7. We hear the stories of survival of those that attended the Nova Music Festival. We’ve heard survivors who have traveled here to New York to share with us. We’ve heard from members of the IDF who fought to save lives, risking their own lives. We honor the memories of those we lost by always coming together in spirit, peace and understanding. We stand against antisemitism every day, and we must always reject hate and instead foster a community that is grounded in empathy and love and respect.”
Before dismissing the students to a day filled with more speakers, a kumzitz/tekes, and other activities, Krauss stated, “Let us conclude this morning, remembering that through our sadness, we are inspired by people we have met and their messages. Am Yisroel Chai!”
