By Melissa Hunter
Assistant Editor
A year after the Hamas attack on Israel, the Cincinnati community came out to commemorate the tragic events of October 7, 2023. On Monday evening, over 500 people gathered at Adath Israel synagogue to reflect on and remember those killed, and offer prayers for those still held hostage by the terrorists. The event, organized by The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, offered a message of hope moving forward in the face of growing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment.
“Israel has been in conflict before, but something like this is unprecedented,” Danielle Minson, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, said in an interview. “We’ve never seen anything like it.”
Minson also reflected on the pain that Oct. 7 represents to the Jewish community and how it has shaped her personally.
“It’s hard. Today is a really heavy day because this has been going on for a year now. In June, I had the honor of meeting Zahava Tamir, whose sister-in-law, Carmel Gat, was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th. In a moment I’ll never forget, Zahava took her ‘Bring Them Home’ dog tag and placed it around my neck. She asked me to keep it as a symbol of her hope for Carmel’s return.
“On September 1, the IDF announced Carmel had been murdered along with 5 others, her body found in a Hamas tunnel. Her loss is heartbreaking, but a symbol of resilience. Other hostages shared that Carmel did yoga daily with the children. That image of strength and compassion stays with me.”
Security was strict to ensure the safety of those in attendance.
The ceremony included perspectives from local Israelis, rabbis, and leaders, and was sponsored by numerous local organizations, including the American Jewish Committee, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Discovery Center, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, to name just a few.
“I went to the solidarity gathering last year because I needed to be with my community, but we had no idea then how the conflict would unfold,” attendee Andrea Beck said. “After one year of what seems like a fever dream, where hatred towards our community seems to have only gotten worse and the death tolls keep climbing, it was important for me to be with my community once again. It was very powerful to say the Kaddish on the Yarzheit of the victims of October 7, and once again feel that solidarity.”
This year, October 7 falls between the high holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a time of renewal and reflection, and the event was a way for the community to heal collectively. “We all share a connection to Israel’s pain,” Minson said. “Together, we will grieve, remember, and support each other.”
