In the year since Hamas launched a surprise and lethal attack on the Nova Music Festival in Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 254 people hostage, Newton residents have been the target of a number of violent acts. Last April, a memorial with pictures of all the hostages, displayed on the wall of a private home, was vandalized, destroying all of the photographs. Individual homes with signs decrying antisemitism and supporting Israel have also endured attacks. Newton schools have been the scene of antisemitism, as well. On this first anniversary of the attack, and in an effort to bring the community together, Jewish houses of worship and community leaders determined to focus on honoring those who died, those who are still held hostage, and those who mourn them.
In his email to his congregants, Rabbi Keith Stern, from Newton’s Temple Beth Avodah said: “[F]or now, our focus on this October 7th is not about who’s shouting what obscenities or threats or racist slogans. It’s not who’s pro this or anti that. Today there is no posturing. It is about remembering what happened to Israel on October 7th, the lives that were lost, the families torn apart, the towns and kibbutzim in the north and south shattered, the homes lost.” Rabbi Sterns told Fig City News that he attended a sold-out community gathering at the Wang Theatre, at which Newton resident Robin Polin Pomper, “spoke movingly” about her nephew, slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
In his message to Congregation Shaarei Tefillah, Rabbi Benjamin Samuels urged members there to observe the day by performing three acts:
1. Teshuva: ”In a world beset by hatred and war, let us add to the love and kindness needed. Do an additional kind act today of chesed. Reach out to someone in need of uplift. Comfort the mournful. Visit the sick. Bring joy to those celebrating life cycle milestones. Read articles analyzing what has changed since 10.7 and think of small ways we can each improve and/or offset the damaging changes that have taken place.”
2. Tefilla: “Join yourself to the Jewish people and the people of Israel as they offer prayers, reflections, songs, and memories — all elements of Jewish prayer.”
3. Tzedaka: ”Give to a cause to bring more light to the people of Israel.”
At Monday night’s City Council meeting, several Councilors wore yellow “Bring Them Home” pins offered by Ward 2 Councilor David Micley. For him, “October 7th is a day of grieving and mourning for the victims of the horrific Hamas terrorist attack against Israel one year ago – and a day to remember the 101 hostages still held in captivity …” He noted that many Newton residents have been personally affected by last year’s attack, “and at City Hall in the evening a range of elected officials from diverse backgrounds and faiths honored and remembered the hostages by wearing a yellow ribbon pin, a symbol of hope for the safe return of the hostages.” Marc Laredo, City Council President, began the meeting asking for a moment of silence to remember those who died or are held hostage. And, before presenting the long-range budget proposal, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, wearing a yellow pin noted: “It’s a difficult time in the world. Today is the one-year anniversary of a brutal attack on civilians in Israel with hostages seized and a time with two active war zones overseas. People worldwide are grieving the widespread suffering, grasping for hope, and praying for peace.”
On Sunday, October 6th, several thousand pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in Boston, blocking Storrow Drive, and raising concerns among some local religious institutions and residents that there might hostile actions in Newton as well. According to Lt. Amanda Henrickson, the Newton Police Community Liaison officer, patrols were assigned to sensitive areas, but there were no problems in the city.
