Two horrific years. That has been the experience of so many in the Jewish community we serve since the brutal attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The pain has been relentless. The agony of the loss of life in those initial days; the continuing torment caused by the hostages still held by Hamas; and the surge of antisemitism in our country, and even in our county, unlike anything many had ever experienced before.
I have heard from so many in our Jewish community of sleepless nights, deep worry for friends and family members, and tremendous anxiety about the world they are leaving to their children and grandchildren.
We desperately want peace. We pray for Hamas to release the hostages, for the fighting to stop, and for the loss of innocent life to end. Maybe we are getting close, though there have been too many moments when we thought that before. Let us hope that this time, hope holds, and that soon all the hostages are returned home.
Over these past two years, WJCS has been deeply engaged in helping our Jewish community cope with the trauma and the pain. Our staff has worked with parents struggling to talk to their children about what they see and hear; in schools, with young people trying to live the joys of youth while confronting hatred they never imagined; and in the homes of Holocaust survivors who thought they had left the terror of their youth behind. This has been emotionally demanding work, but it has eased pain, strengthened resolve, and helped many begin to heal, one conversation, one session, one small step at a time.
That journey from pain to renewal can be seen vividly in the story of Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the hardest-hit communities on October 7th. A quarter of its 400 residents were killed or taken hostage by Hamas. Nine remain hostages today, five believed still alive. Nearly every home and public building was destroyed, leaving devastation that has become a symbol of that horrific day.
And yet, into that void have stepped 50 young adults who have moved into the near-deserted kibbutz, less than a mile from Gaza. Determined to rebuild, they laid a cornerstone on August 7th as a symbol of Nir Oz’s revival. As the leader of the group, Neri Shotan, said, “We have arrived here… to create a new life here [within] the context of this place. Coming here, we demonstrate that creating life in this place is important to us. Despite the pain, we are determined to transform from a symbol of disaster into a symbol of revival.”
At WJCS, that same spirit of healing, rebuilding, and renewal guides our mission every day. Whether supporting survivors, countering hate, or helping families find strength in community, we remain steadfast in our commitment to bring light to those facing darkness. On this solemn anniversary, we honor the victims and the hostages, we stand with the people of Israel, and we reaffirm our dedication to ensuring that the Jewish community of Westchester, and all those we serve, can find hope, healing, and connection in the face of pain.
