October 7th was a somber night at Tallahassee’s Temple Israel, as Jews and their allies gathered to remember the Hamas attack on Israel and honor those lost.
It was the yahrzeit – or one-year anniversary – of the murders and hostage-takings committed by Hamas. It was also the week of the High Holy Days. Temple Israel hosted Congregation Shomrei Torah and the Tallahassee Jewish Federation.
They sang, wept and prayed.
“May the source of strength bless the ones before us,” they sang. “Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing, and let us say, ‘Amen.”
“So, as we approach Yom Kippur, let’s put a bookmark on the pages for last year, because we will continue to return to it again and again, every minute of every day,” said Joe Gerstenfeld of the Federation. “In fact, until this war is over and the hostages have come home, the Jewish story will continue to be written and we are the ones who will write it. We have no choice but to go forward.”
Outside the temple, three vans from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office kept the peace.
