Jewish Community Gathers for Interfaith Shabbat Service and Commemoration of Hamas Terror Attack Anniversary
Cardinal Timothy Dolan addresses the congregation at Temple Emanu-El.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Rosh Hashanah Service and Reflection
Jewish New Yorkers gathered at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side on Friday for an interfaith Shabbat service on the second day of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and to commemorate the first anniversary of the Hamas terror attack in Israel on October 7, 2024.
Commemorating the Anniversary
Monday marks one year since the terror group Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 Israelis and foreigners. Over 100 hostages have been released, while 97 hostages still remain in captivity. At the end of August, Israel’s military recovered the bodies of six hostages killed by Hamas terrorists, including 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was kidnapped at the Nova music festival on October 7.
Interfaith Service
Rabbi Joshua Davidson, senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, led the interfaith service along with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. They were joined by Jonathan Greenblatt, national director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and Pastor Jared Stahler of Saint Peter’s Church.
Remembrance and Solidarity
At a presser before the service, Davidson recalled that Dolan, who was in Rome, Italy, when the horrific events unfolded, was the first person to call him and express his unwavering solidarity with the Jewish people.
Antisemitism and Support
Greenblatt described the past year as a year filled with terror, death, and destruction and explained that 2023 shattered the record numbers of antisemitic attacks of 2022. He spoke about the surge of antisemitism since the Oct. 7 attacks, nationally and globally.
Conclusions
The events of October 7, 2023, were the worst acts of murder against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The terror attacks horrified anyone with a conscience and altered Jewish history.
FAQs
Q: What was the significance of the interfaith Shabbat service at Temple Emanu-El?
A: The service was held on the second day of Rosh Hashanah to commemorate the first anniversary of the Hamas terror attack in Israel on October 7, 2024, and to express solidarity and support for the Jewish community.
Q: Who participated in the interfaith service?
A: The service was led by Rabbi Joshua Davidson, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Jonathan Greenblatt, and Pastor Jared Stahler.
Q: What was the outcome of the Hamas terror attack?
A: Over 100 hostages have been released, while 97 hostages still remain in captivity. At the end of August, Israel’s military recovered the bodies of six hostages killed by Hamas terrorists.
Q: How did antisemitism increase after the terror attack?
A: According to data by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), in the U.S., antisemitic incidents in the three months after the Oct. 7 massacre rose by 361% compared to the same period in 2023. In Germany and Austria, the first two months after the attacks, antisemitic incidents were up 350% and 500%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2022.
