Local Jewish organization to mark one year since deadliest attack in Israel’s history
On Monday, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation will join with communities around the world to mark one year since the attack by Hamas against the citizens of Israel.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas unleashed a vicious attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 innocent people, taking more than 250 hostage, and shattering the global community’s sense of safety, according to Bonnie Deutsch Burdman, executive director and community relations/government affairs for the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.
“On this deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, Hamas murdered parents in their homes in front of their children, beheaded children in front of their parents, massacred young people at a music festival designed to promote peace and love, and destroyed whole communities, while proudly filming their atrocities and sharing what they horrendously believed to be an achievement to be celebrated,” she said.
Burdman said the attack was a turning point in modern Jewish history, both because of the tragic depth of that day’s event and the monumental events that have followed.
She said the story of the Jewish people historically through the millennia up until today, is one of overcoming adversity, fighting back against impossible odds, facing horrific challenges, and coming out stronger on the other side.
Monday’s event will give the Jewish community an opportunity to mourn those lost, both on the day of the attack as well as the many hostages killed while in captivity, and demand the release of the approximately 101 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, according to Burdman.
“By coming together to pay tribute to the fallen and the heroes, we are expressing our heartfelt and unwavering solidarity with Israel and its people,” Burdman said. “This is also a moment when the Jewish people need community more than ever in our fight against the forces of antisemitism and delegitimization of Israel.”
On May 14, 1948, the day in which the British Mandate over Palestine expired, the Jewish People’s Council gathered at the Tel Aviv Museum, and approved a proclamation declaring the establishment of the State of Israel.
The new state was recognized that night by the United States and three days later by the Soviet Union. Israel was attacked on May 15 by armies of five neighboring Arab nations.
Burdman said Israel survived the effort at destruction and since then has proffered numerous offers of peace and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
The Israeli people, a population that includes more than nine million citizens, including approximately 20 percent who are Arab, have since built a vibrant, diverse, high tech, democracy - the only democracy in the Middle East, demonstrating that peace is possible, according to Burdman.
Burdman went on to explain the importance of the one-year anniversary.
“It is now one year since that horrible day -- a year marked by war started by Hamas and escalated by proxies of the Iranian regime whose sole stated purpose is the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people,” she said. “It is important for our community to mourn with those who lost their lives, embrace their families, pray for the remaining hostages, to pay tribute to the heroes who are fighting to defend Israel, and to reaffirm our community’s strength and commitment to Israel.”
On Oct. 1, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, firing some 180 ballistic missiles at Israel’s civilian population centers. There was also a deadly terrorist attack in Jaffa.
Following the attack, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation sent out the following statement:
“Our hearts are with the people of Israel as they face these violent, unprecedented, and terrifying attacks. In moments like these, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Israel under fire and we are praying for their safety,” the statement read. “We express our condolences and our sorrow to the families who lost loved ones in Jaffa today.”
Burdman said at this crucial moment in Jewish and world history, members of the federation express how heartened they are about the overwhelming and unwavering support by the administration, congress, and the citizens of the United States.
The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is the umbrella organization for several agencies, including Senior Living by Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Jewish Family & Community Services.
The Federation works to promote the welfare of the Jewish people, locally, nationally, and overseas.
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