On a rainy Monday night just days before a major hurricanewingo, nearly 1,400 people gathered at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach to pay tribute to the lives lost during the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

Through an evening of song, prayer and reflection, the community event mourned those lost and prayed for the safe return of hostages still being held captive. The event marked one year since the dark day that continues to impact Jews far beyond the borders of Israel.

“One year of horror, uncertainty, grief and pain — a year for many of us in which everything was colored by what was lost to us,” said Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz, senior rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom. “As we conclude this first year of mourning, we find ourselves still in the ‘Shiva’ of October, still walking through the valley of the shadow of death.”

But, despite the tearful tone in the room, there were some messages of resiliency and hope for a brighter future.

“Tonight, we bear witness, we remember .... we comfort each other, we support each other ... and together, we search for hope,” Pomerantz said in her opening remarks.

Later, in a video message played at the event, the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, spoke about the importance of Jews reconnecting with one another and working toward larger goals of social justice and “collective responsibility.”

“We are a people with the power to keep standing up again and again against hatred, to get back on our feet from the ashes of tragedy, to fight and to survive, to heal and to rebuild,” said Herzog over a video message.

October 7 marks one year since Hamas militants stormed into Israel on brutal raids that left 1,200 people dead and another 240 taken hostage, sparking a war in Gaza with no end in sight. Last year’s surprise cross-border attack took place on a major Jewish holiday, Simchat Torah, catching Israelis off guard and shattering Israel’s sense of security. This year, the anniversary of the attack falls in between two other Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

The event, which was sponsored by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami and the Consulate General of Israel in Miami, opened with a candle lighting by Holocaust survivors from around South Florida to honor those lost in the attack. There was one candle for each Israeli community impacted.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the county’s first Jewish mayor, led the room in a prayer for the state of Israel, followed by prayers for the Israel Defense Forces and the hostages led by Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones — setting the tone for a somber evening.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott spoke about his role in educating his own family about the Holocaust and antisemitism, and the importance of remembering the attacks one year later.

“I watched what happened with Ukraine, where people forgot what was going on. They forgot the people were dying. They forgot the babies were starving to death. They thought they forgot there was a war. That could never happen with this.”

In an effort to keep Israel on the minds of Florida elected officials, Scott said his team put together pictures and information about each of the hostages and sent them around to every House member in Florida.

In his remarks, Scott said America is going to be a country that supports Israel and stops antisemitism.

“We need to watch what a great country does to defend their freedom, their people, and we need to decide what type of country are we. Are we to be a country that supports our ally in Israel? Are we going to bow down to terrorists?”

Scott was among over 20 Florida politicians who were in attendance on Monday, including state senators, Florida representatives, city mayors and commissioners from around the county.

Jewish leaders including Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, the Consul General of Israel in Miami, and Scott Kaufman, interim President and CEO of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, made powerful remarks calling for an end to antisemitism and demanding the return of the hostages.

“Today and every day we commit ourselves to the safe return of every human hostage and the closure of a proper burial for the families of those who were murdered by Hamas,” said Elbaz-Starinsky. “We will not rest until each and every one of the 101 is back with us. Bring them back home now.”

Community cantors from synagogues across Miami sang songs reflecting on the tragedy. Rabbis from around South Florida led the room in community prayers for October 7 and paid tribute to the fallen Israeli soldiers.

“Promise me never again, I’m still wet from this October rain,” the cantors sang in unison.

Perhaps the most emotional moments of the evening came when Israel resident, Ziv Levi, delivered a testimonial about his sister and her family who were shot by Hamas militants in the safe room of their home one year ago.

“They were found hugging on their bed inside their home .. In one moment, an entire family erased from the world,” Levi said. “I did not come to tell you how my sister and her family died. But how they lived.”

Levi talked about his sister’s work as a graphic designer and how she created a workshop for children to create art and express themselves through pottery, sewing and other hands-on skills. For her birthday last year, in lieu of gifts, Levi’s sister requested that everyone donate one hour of their time to volunteering and doing something positive for the world.

“We are hoping to do it again this year,” Levi said. “My hope is that everyone takes some time to do some good for somebody else.”

In the lobby of the synagogue, attendees mingled and chatted with old friends, reflecting on the past year of hardship.

“It’s been very challenging,” Marsha Gilbert said, holding back tears. “Our dearest family friend, his son is a lone solider in an elite commando unit, so we are front and center in what’s happening.”

“My love for Israel is endless. I have a great passion for everything Jewish, for everything Israel. I live it every day,” said Gilbert, who is an avid Israeli dancer. “Even before October 7, and I’ve been living it since October 7.”

Gilbert’s friend, Ilan Markovitz, 63, traveled from Hallandale Beach to attend the commemoration. Markovitz said he was impressed by the turnout on such a rainy evening.

“Anything that brings us together, to support Israel, to support the community, to bring awareness. I’m all for it, and I love it.”

Coconut Grove resident Ilana Kurizki described the past year as “a prolonged state of agony.” Kurizki, who is a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, said she has been “waiting for a sense of reprieve has not come yet.”

Kurizki said she remembers attending a pro-Israel rally held one year ago in Miami Beach just days after the Hamas attacks. It’s hard, she said, to believe a year has passed since the attacks, especially since she has friends who have family members who are still hostages — a fact that reveals the closeness of the Jewish community.

“The Jewish world is so closely connected, it’s one or two degrees of separation, and then so you feel an immense pain, an immense sense of connection, sense of responsibility for your brothers and sisters, your extended family,” she said. “So it’s been really, really hard.”

This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.

This story was originally published October 8wingo, 2024, 12:27 PM.

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