A crowd marks somber anniversary at Town Park

Father Frank of the St. John's Episcopal Church at the rememberance service on Oct 7 at Lewisboro Town Park. ROBERT CUMMINGS PHOTO

By JEFF MORRIS

It was a beautiful evening, but the mood was somber as some 200 people gathered for an hour of prayer and remembrance in Lewisboro Town Park on Monday. 

They came to participate in the town’s Oct. 7 Memorial Ceremony, which included interfaith clergy in a service to remember the innocent lives taken a year ago, and to pray for the release of the remaining hostages.

Battery-powered candles were distributed for a candlelight vigil, along with small Israeli flags. Attendees also brought Israeli and American flags of their own.

Among those who participated were a number of officials, including state Assemblymember Chris Burdick, County Legislator Erika Pierce, Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves, and town board members Mary Shah, Richard Sklarin and Andrea Rendo. There were also representatives from the offices of Rep. Mike Lawler and state Sen. Pete Harckham. 

Residents Daniela Goldman, Steven Ebert, Simone O’Connor, Robin Gersten and Cathy Deutsch helped organize the memorial, and joined with the others in reading the names of those who lost their lives in captivity and those who are still held hostage.

“This is a moment for our community to come together and share grief and remembrance,” Goldman said. “Together, we can find strength in our unity, reflecting on the resilience of our community. Your presence here today signifies that hate will not be tolerated. We are a united people. Together, we are strong. No enemy will bring us down. With this unity and strength, we will bring our loved ones home.” 

Rabbi Lisa Sacks of Bet Torah in Mount Kisco said that in a year when the Jewish community felt isolated and under attack, it was a beautiful testament to the spirit of humanity that this ceremony was organized by an interfaith group of people.

“Thank you for standing together against hatred,” she said. “We feel a deep connection across time and space to the land of Israel and the people of Israel.”

She read a message from the director of a gap year program in which her daughter is participating in Israel, describing the events that unfolded one year ago “in which so many of our brothers and sisters were murdered.”

“The Jewish people are a community of remembrance,” Sacks said. “We are commanded to remember everything that happened; to hold and cherish the story of our people.” And, she added, “we also are commanded to remember that there is room for grace and compassion in this world; to hold the faith that peace and liberty are possible; to never lose hope in the possibility of a better tomorrow.”

But today, she said, “we remember first and foremost the dead, the murdered, the beautiful souls that we lost.” 

Also sharing his spiritual message was the Rev. Frank Hakoola, priest-in-charge of St. John’s Episcopal Parish, which includes St. John’s Church in South Salem and St. Paul’s Chapel in Vista.

Officials shared their reasons for attending. Burdick said he was present because what Hamas did on Oct. 7 was the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

“What’s worse is they still have 101 hostages in captivity,” he said. “One year later, it’s so important for us as a community to come together, to show our solidarity with the Jewish community, to show our support for the state of Israel. I think it’s important for me to show that solidarity.”

Pierce said, “As we mark an inconceivable full year since the terrible attacks, it was important for me to stand within our community, both to remember those who have been lost and those still in captivity, and to express our hope for peace for the region so that we can see an end to the terrible bloodshed.”

She said she also wanted to express her thanks to the organizers, and the clergy who were an important part of the event.

“The community came out to mark the anniversary of the attacks carried out by Hamas one year ago on innocent civilians who were enjoying their lives,”Gonçalves said. “We came out to remember and pray for all the lives lost, their families and for the safe return for those still held in captivity. Terrorism has no place in this world and may peace prevail in the region.”