Community gathers to honor Oct. 7 terror victims

More than 450 people gathered Monday night to remember the victims of the Hamas attack on Israel on the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 tragedy. Organized by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, the hour-long program was a mix of prayer, song and commemorations by Israelis and the Rhode Island community. Particularly poignant was a video tribute to Anya Lisman, cousin of Natalie Lyalin, chief experience officer at the Alliance. Anya and her boyfriend, Segev Shushan, were murdered trying to flee the Nova music festival on Oct. 7. Rhode Island community shlichah Gaya described her experience on Oct. 7 to the audience.

Adam Greenman, president and CEO of the Alliance, told the crowd, “We are not alone. We are a community that has suffered a collective trauma. Tonight we will be together. My hope is that you will all find some peace.”

The program, held at the Dwares Jewish Community Center in Providence, ended with the packed social hall singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “Hatikvah.”

FRAN OSTENDORF  (fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org)  is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island