JSU Remembering Oct. 7th: A Year of Grief and Solidarity

By: Anya Vaiman '26

JSU Board presenting during Oct. 7 ceremony

This past Monday, the SOCES Jewish Student Union held a ceremony during nutrition in Mr. Barasch’s room to commemorate the one year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel. They encouraged all students to wear yellow in support of the 101 hostages remaining in Gaza. Many staff members and students from all grades came to show solidarity for the Jewish community at SOCES. 

“We all came together to remember the hostages taken on October 7th as well as all the people murdered,” said JSU member Sydney Devore.  “We’re still mourning those losses, so this was a time for our community to come together. This marked a year since this devastating event has happened, which still affects our people to this day.”

At the ceremony, JSU board members created a presentation that shed light on the Nova Festival attack in Israel and the hostages that remain in captivity. Yellow ribbons were passed around, and those who attended the ceremony had the chance to write a letter for soldiers fighting to return the hostages. 

The event was emotional but produced hope for the future and safety of everyone involved in the conflict.

“I think the October 7th ceremony was powerful for a couple of reasons, " said Mr. Barasch, the advisor for JSU. “One, it indicated that life is valuable and that we can never take it for granted. Two, that students who are motivated enough can bring a great deal of comfort and love to a community. And three, that we as a Jewish people are about memory, and it’s our memories that will make our present future.”

JSU President, Isabella Pourdavood, said, “The goal was to create a space for collective mourning, raise awareness for the ongoing suffering, and offer support to the IDF soldiers. After all the events of this year I have felt a greater commitment to the Jewish community and am willing to help in every way I can.” 

It was exactly one year ago on Monday when the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust took place. Hamas terrorists from Gaza invaded Israel around 6:30 in the morning, burning through kibbutzim (small towns), and murdering Israeli citizens in their homes. They also entered the Nova Festival, where people from all different backgrounds gathered to sing and dance in a celebration of life. At this music festival, hundreds were killed, raped, and burned. Most of the victims were people aged 18-25. On that day, approximately 1200 Israelis, Americans, and others of many different ethnicities and nationalities were murdered. Additionally, over 250 men, women, and children were taken hostage into Gaza (the Times of Israel). 

 The October 7th attack has resulted in violent conflict breaking out across the Middle East and has sparked worldwide discord and intense debate over Israel’s response to the attack. Violent protests have snowballed across college campuses, resulting in a rise of criticism towards Israel and antisemitic hate speech against Israel and the Jewish people. 

Source:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/rescued-hostages-were-held-by-families-with-known-ties-to-hamas-says-report/