October 7, 2023 was the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. October 6 and October 7, 2024, are days for Philadelphians to honor those who died, those taken hostage, and those who began a journey of suffering one year ago. May their memories be a blessing. May the world one day achieve peace.
Here, some ways to honor the day:
ATTEND A MEMORIAL AND VIGIL. On October 6 at 5pm, 365 Days of Hope pays spiritual homage to the more than 1,100 human lives lost on October 7, 2023. The gathering includes speech-making, a joint clergy memorial service, a shofar blast, calls to action, homemade lanterns and the reading of the victims’ and hostages’ names while the Jewish chorale of Greater Philadelphia Nashirah performs a world premiere of the song “October Rain.” Guests are asked to wear yellow, the color of remembrance. Location revealed upon reservation.
BEAR WITNESS TO HISTORY, THROUGH PHOTOS AND SOUND. The Weitzman Museum opens its concourse on October 7 from 10am to 5pm for A Visual and Sound Journey from ANU Museum, an exhibition of journalists’ photographs documenting the events of one year ago and their aftermath, set to The Pain Front, a healing soundtrack created by Israeli musicians. 101 S. Independence Mall East
HONOR BOTH JEWISH AND MUSLIM LIVES. Every Life, A Universe has planned a tashlich, a Jewish ritual that symbolizes the casting off of sins from the previous year, on October 7 from 6 to 8pm. The ceremony will honor the memories of the people who died in Israel on October 7 and the thousands more who’ve died in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon in the ensuing violence, while calling for a peaceful end to the suffering. 640 Waterworks Drive
TAKE PART IN A VIRTUAL PRAYER VIGIL. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and Board of Rabbis invite everyone to Zoom in for an at-home service of “prayer, mourning and messages of hope” on October 7 at 7pm. Online
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has planned a day of remembrance to coincide with Israel’s official such day, at Har Zion Temple on the Main Line on October 27 from 1:30 to 3pm. Register to attend by October 21. 1500 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley
