Emotional Gathering in Tenafly Marks One-Year Anniversary of Hamas Attack on Israel

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Tenafly NJ, Thousands gathered in Tenafly, New Jersey, on Monday night for an emotional memorial marking one year since the deadly Hamas attack on Israel. The commemoration took place under a large tent outside the Kaplen JCC and was organized by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. For the Tenafly community, the tragedy is personal, as it is home to the parents of Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old Tenafly High School graduate who remains one of around 100 hostages still held captive a year after the attack.

The Oct. 7, 2023, assault, in which Hamas fighters launched a massive attack on Israel, left 1,200 people dead and 250 kidnapped, making it the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. For the Jewish community worldwide, the tragedy has resonated deeply, with events like the Tenafly gathering serving as moments of reflection and solidarity.

The memorial drew close to 4,000 attendees, despite initial registration estimates of 6,000. Participants gathered to pray, sing, and remember those who were lost or remain in captivity. Daniel Herz, president of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, reflected on the emotional weight of the anniversary. “One year since our sense of safety was shattered, our world broken,” he said.

The community watched as images of the October 2023 attack were displayed, including footage from the Nova Festival in southern Israel, where young people’s celebration turned to terror as Hamas fighters stormed the event. The haunting images were a stark reminder of the day that changed so many lives.

One of the night’s most emotional moments came when Edan Alexander’s mother, Yael, addressed the crowd. Describing her son as “full of energy” and “the light of our family,” she recounted the last moments she spoke to him before he was captured. “His voice was shaking,” she said of their final phone call on Oct. 7, adding that she hadn’t heard from him for five agonizing days before the Israeli army confirmed his kidnapping.

Though months passed with no news, Yael shared a glimmer of hope: in January, some released hostages confirmed they had seen Edan and that he had spoken fondly of his family. The Alexander family, along with many in the community, continues to hold on to hope. Yael thanked the Tenafly community for their support and urged everyone to continue advocating for the release of all hostages. “Edan is not the only one,” she reminded the audience, noting that 100 hostages, including seven Americans, remain in Gaza.

The event also featured Israeli soldier Ziv Rahamim, who grew up in a southern Israeli village often targeted by attacks. Rahamim shared his experience of being away from Israel when the attack occurred and his determination to return and fight alongside his comrades. Now serving in Northern Israel, where conflict with Hezbollah is intensifying, Rahamim emphasized the importance of their mission. “The Israeli army is not just fighting for the land of Israel but for Jews all over the world,” he said.

The evening was a poignant reminder of the ongoing impact of the Oct. 7 attack. As war continues to spread in the region, with fresh rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah, the community remains steadfast in its support for those still affected. The gathering served not only as a memorial but as a call for continued unity and action in the face of ongoing violence.

 

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