Members of American University’s Hillel gathered on the quad and in Kay Spiritual Center to participate in community events commemorating the lives lost on Oct. 7, 2023. These events come during some of the major Jewish holidays including Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, which Hillel also celebrated.
On Oct. 7, 2023, about 1,200 people were killed and 254 people were taken hostage by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival and other locations in Southern Israel. These people include Americans and children. Currently, there are about 97 hostages still in Gaza, waiting to be returned to their families.
In commemoration, AU Hillel held interactive and cultural events for students to engage in throughout the day. The morning began with an open vigil in Kay where students read poems and lit candles for those affected. After the prayer, students could privately reflect or converse with others in attendance. Stickers and packets full of prayers were also handed out so all could participate.
“There were a few specifically chosen prayers in both Hebrew and English that we recited, such as a prayer for peace, a prayer for any like Jewish people in distress, and a prayer for the hostages,” said Sophie Liebeck, a service engagement intern for AU Hillel and a sophomore in the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences. “And then there were a few student speakers, myself included, that read poems that were written by Jewish or Israeli authors, specifically about Oct. 7.”
Afternoon on the quad consisted of an art reflection display and a space to continue privately reflecting on the situation with AU Hillel members in support.
In the evening, a unity dinner was also held on the quad with Hillel, AU Athletics and the Office of Inclusive Excellence to begin the Reflections and Connections series, hoping to bring the community together through food and conversation.
“I thought the service was really peaceful, and overall, it was very meaningful to witness,” said Julia Weisenberg, a freshman in CAS. “The service provided a beautiful memorial for the attack, victims, and hostages, who I felt were not getting much recognition outside of the Jewish community.”
AU Hillel actively introduces new ways for the Jewish and AU community to join in either volunteer service or faith-related activities. They plan to pack backpacks for children in foster care this November. They also host Shabbat, the Jewish Day of Rest to recall the story of creation, every Friday, followed by dinner.
To Liebeck, building community is the main driving force for the organization, hoping that others interested don't hesitate to reach out.
“I think it's just a place where we can sort of relate to each other. We come together. And it's sometimes even just a chillout space, like the basement of Kay [Spiritual Center] has all of the religious offices,” Liebeck said. “The Hillel one, they always say, is open to anybody.”
Correction: A previous version of this article said the causalities and hostages taken were at the Nova Music Festival. The article was updated to reflect the causalities and hostages taken throughout Southern Israel.
This article was edited by Payton Anderson, Maya Cederlund, Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks and Sabine Kanter-Huchting. Fact checking done by Luna Jinks and Hannah Paisley Zoulek.
