On Monday, Oct 7, nearly 400 people gathered at the Alpert Jewish Community Center to honor the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks in which 1,200 Israelis were murdered. Attendees paid tribute through song, prayer, moments of silence, and lighting candles to honor the fallen.
The AJCC also exhibited a collection of photos from that horrific day, allowing space to witness and reflect on how to move forward as a community. The memorial service was led by rabbis of varying sects of Judaism in a beautiful display of unity. Israeli Americans in our community shared their reflections and paid tribute to their personal friends lost on that day. In attendance were many elected officials and dignitaries including Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Long Beach City Councilmember Megan Kerr, Congressman Robert Garcia, Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, and CSULB President Jane Conoley.
“Having a program in which nearly 400 of our community members were able to come together to acknowledge, reflect and comfort each other was a tribute to our mission of building community, “ said Deborah Goldfarb, CEO of Jewish Long Beach.