SAN DIEGO — San Diego joined thousands of communities worldwide in commemorating the one-year anniversary of October 7: the day that Hamas terrorists launched their deadly attack on Israel.
Thousands of San Diegans gathered at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla, honoring the lives of those lost and supporting those who are still suffering.
"October 7 was a day of collective tragedy," said one speaker. "Every day since has been one of collective unity and strength."
"Every day since October seventh has been an October 7th for us," said Karen Parry, executive director of Hillel San Diego. "We're collectively mourning. It was our brothers and sisters and family that were murdered and brutalized by terrorists."
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 200 hostage. About 100 of whom still remain in Gaza.
"We are taking today to commemorate those losses, to ask for those hostages to be brought home and to stand together as a community," said Heidi Gantwerk, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County.
Monday night's commemoration was especially poignant, with first-hand accounts of young Israeli's experiences on October 7, a wall of remembrance of those who lost their lives, and an opportunity for San Diegans to express their feelings.
"Our intention was to make sure that people had a space and place for some of the emotions they've been holding for 365 days," said Betzy Lynch, executive director of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.
"It was really important to be here for my community and support people who were personally affected," said Zoe Gass, a student at the San Diego Jewish Academy.
"It almost feels like history is repeating itself and that's not something that i want to live through," added Ava Taylor, a student at Torrey Pines High School. "It's not something that I want my community to live through."
While the tragedy in Israel is playing out more than 7,000 miles away from San Diego, many at Monday night's commemoration pointed out the impact here at home.
"The shocking rise in antisemitism here has led all of us to think that we are living in a different world," said Gantwerk.
That antisemitism has been especially evident on local college campuses, according to Jake Rendler, a student at UC San Diego.
"It's this movement that spreads like a virus where they can't help but make us feel unsafe on our campuses, making us feel like we don't belong anywhere in the world now, and this is what's happened in this last year," Rendler told CBS 8.
Along with a message of strength and resilience, Monday's gathering also shared a message of hope for the future.
"This tragedy needs to be remembered," Lynch said, "and while it is a tragedy of the Jewish community, it is an indication of the potential tragedy for the rest of the world, and we can't stay silent, and we must be strong and we must be hopeful."