As the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel nears, staff at the JCC Greater Boston, located in Newton, knew it was essential to honor the more-than 1,200 Israeli and international victims, hostages and survivors of the ongoing conflict.
In addition, as reported by Reuters, the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry has said that, as of September 29, at least 41,595 Palestinians have been killed in the subsequent war in Gaza.
To provide a meaningful way for locals to express their deep emotions about the October 7, kidnappings, and massacre, the JCC decided to create a much smaller version of the holiest site in Judaism – the Western / Wailing Wall (or Kotel in Hebrew) – inside the Newton JCC.
Inspired by the centuries-old custom of placing messages and prayers in the stones of the Western Wall, JCC members and non-members can write notes and leave them between the “stones” until October 15. At the end of the month, a staff member will take the messages to Israel where they will be placed in the stones of the real wall.
“[Writing the notes] connects our members and whoever else participates to Jews across the world,” said Lily Rabinoff-Goldman, president and CEO of the JCC Greater Boston. “It’s visceral. It’s interactive.”
Having the opportunity to express one’s thoughts, feelings, and prayers is even more essential now as people around the world prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) this week and Israel faces Iranian missiles and a fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“People just feel that this [writing messages] is a way to connect that is personal for them,” said Rabinoff-Goldman. “People have been very moved by it.”
To create the JCC’s Community Western Wall, Arlington artist Noni Armony worked with 20 Diller Teen Fellows who are part of a yearlong leadership program for Jewish teens. The group took a few days to complete the structure using construction foam and spackling paste mixed with paint.
Rabinoff-Goldman said she wasn’t sure how many messages have been left thus far, but said every week about 2,000 people walk through the lobby area where the wall is located.
“The number of little notes … grows every day,” she said.
More information
- Members and non-members of the JCC are invited to leave messages at the Community Western Wall.
- Due to construction, the main entrance at 333 Nahanton Street is closed, so visitors need to drive to the temporary entrance around the corner on Winchester Street.
- After parking, visitors must provide an ID to enter the building or leave a message at the desk.
- Those interested in writing messages can also email them to swinton@jccgb.org.
- In addition to the Community Western Wall, the JCC is holding an event for teens (members and non-members) in grades 8-12 on Sunday, October 6, from 4:30PM to 6PM. Diller Teen Fellows and JCC Greater Boston are partnering with several community organizations to host Messages of Memory, Hope & Peace: A #JewishBostonTeens Gathering to Commemorate October 7. Register here.