Jewish Long Beach is inviting the community to come together at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (JCC) on Monday, October 7, 2024, to commemorate one year since the attack in Israel that shattered the global Jewish community’s sense of safety.
This gathering will offer space to mourn the lives lost, pray for the hostages, pay tribute to the heroes defending the people of Israel, and reaffirm the community’s strength and commitment to Israel.
“The devastating harm Hamas unleashed on the Jewish people will never be erased,” said Deborah Goldfarb, CEO of Jewish Long Beach. “At a time like this, the most powerful thing we can do is unite as a community. Our strength lies in standing together, and only through collective action will we heal.”
The terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 innocent people, and captured over 250 people as hostages on October 7, 2023.
Guest speaker Lone Soldier Barak Moritz, from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 7th Armed Brigade, will share his experience engaged in the fight against Hamas. A Lone Soldier is a soldier in the IDF with no family in Israel to support them. Moritz grew up in Long Island, NY, and moved to Israel with his family at age 10. At age 18, he was drafted into the IDF as a paratrooper and placed in the Palsar unit assigned to the 7th Armed Brigade. Palsar units specialize in reconnaissance, advanced weapons, and special intelligence. He was living in San Diego when Hamas attacked on October 7th, and returned to Israel immediately upon learning that his company was called to service.
The commemoration event will begin at 7 pm at the Alpert JCC (3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach). Reservations are strongly recommended. Visit https://jewishlongbeach.regfox.com/october-7th-commemoration for more information and to register. No backpacks or large bags will be allowed inside. Clear bags that are equal to or smaller than 12” x 6” x 12”. Small clutches that are 9” X 6” are permitted and do not need to be clear.
Earlier in the day, the Alpert JCC will be hosting a reflection space from 8 – 11:30 am open-house style with refreshments, an instrumentalist, prayer and reflection activities, a photo gallery of Israel from that day, and a support counselor from Jewish Family & Children’s Service for anyone in the community looking for solace.
The Alpert JCC is located on the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus, providing programming for all ages and stages of life.