Vermont Jewish residents gather to mark the anniversary of Oct. 7
Cassie Lathrope | Executive Editor | clathrope@smcvt.edu
Reflecting on one year since Oct. 7
Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, marked the one-year anniversary of the attack in southern Israel launched by Hamas. During the attacks, Hamas killed 1,200, including 40 Americans, taking 254 people hostage -12 of whom were US citizens. As of Oct 19, 2024, Israeli authorities said an estimated 60 hostages remain living and the bodies of about 35 others remain in Gaza, as reported by the New York Times.
At dawn on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas terrorists breached security barriers in vehicles, and on foot, and fired rockets from Gaza toward Israel, said Al Jazeera.
“The terrorists split up and made their way to a number of Israeli towns and IDF [Israeli Defense Force] bases surrounding Gaza,” said the Israeli Defense Force. “They invaded towns, shooting everything in sight. They broke into civilian homes, shooting, burning, raping and beheading.”
Hamas also invaded the Supernova Music Festival blocking off the road from the north and the south leading to the festival. Hamas terrorists encircled the crowd on three sides forcing festivalgoers to run to the fields on the east as reported by CNN.
“They said they were relentlessly hunted for hours, shot at with live gunfire and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and watched helplessly as people were killed or dragged away by armed captors,” witnesses told CNN. Some fled to bomb shelters where they were shot, and others were murdered by grenades fired into the shelters by terrorists.
Jewish community members in Burlington, Vt., gathered at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue on Oct. 7 for a community service to mark the anniversary. The service was a time for those attending to reflect on the tragic loss suffered, engage in prayer, and find comfort in the community.
“It means a great deal to me to come together with everyone from our community to be able to mourn together, to support one another, to feel strength, in connection, in number…we’re all together,” said Beth Lieberman of Hyde Park.
Lieberman said that she spent the day mourning by herself but found strength in gathering with the people in her community.
“It meant the Jewish community of the greater Burlington area, kind of coming together on the one-year anniversary,” said St. Michael’s College student, Sam Boger, ‘25, who attended the service. “Remembering what we’ve gone through and our friends and family that are still currently living in Israel, or who have died, just kind of commemorating and in spirit supporting them.”
Sam Boger, ’25, with an Israeli flag hung over his shoulder following the community service at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue on Oct. 7.
Attendees of the walk of remembrance gathered in the memorial lounge of the Waterman building on the University of Vermont campus.
After the service, some participated in a silent walk to the University of Vermont Howe Library joining with the University of Vermont Hillel Community to hold a vigil.
“I feel like it’s really important to show up for events like this because I think a lot of people are scared and a lot of people aren’t able to,” said Fiona Duckworth, University of Vermont alumni. “I’m at a place where I feel safe, in my Judaism, and although it’s scary to show up to things like this, it’s understanding that you’re connecting with the community.”
Duckworth’s sister, a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was barred from entering the kosher dining hall on campus because of ongoing protests last Spring.
“It’s important to stay informed, connect with empathy, and understand that there are real people everywhere,” said Duckworth. “When you’re kind of throwing around different slogans and phrases they genuinely make people afraid.”
Boger said he is surprised by how safe he feels being a Jewish student at a Catholic college compared to his friends at other schools. “Some days it’s a little frightening. I have to kind of hide my identity. I’ve had friends and family who have gone through hate crimes, so you always kind of just got to be aware of your surroundings.”
“To me, it’s you’re damned if you do. You’re damned if you don’t. Either side is like Sophie’s Choice, said Boger when discussing which political candidate will better represent the future he sees for Israel.
Boger, whose family and friends still live in Israel, emphasized the importance of global awareness. “You can only have so much perspective unless you’ve lived there and actually know your friends and family were killed.”