What we say and do when it feels impossible - October 7 One Year Later
It is impossible to grasp that 1 year has passed since the day that changed us all, and changed the world.
It is impossible to accept that there are still 101 hostages held captive by Hamas, that not a single humanitarian organization has offered assistance, and that the world is cheering on the regimes of terror because of their shared hatred of Jews.
It is impossible to understand campuses allowing hatefests on the anniversary of the October 7 massacre - which would have never been allowed for any other terror attack in history, except that the victims were Jews in Israel. It is impossible to accept that we continue to be held to a double standard.
It is impossible to understand how rabbis could use their pulpit on Rosh HaShanah to spew hate and lies about our Jewish state, our soldiers, our rights and our fight for freedom.
Even the taking out of another round of ballistic missiles from Iran - this time on the night before Rosh HaShanah - shows that Ben Gurion, and every leader throughout our history, was right - to be a realist in Israel, one must believe in miracles... Listen NOW to insightful perspective and encouragement on a Jew Today or watch the Facebook Live from the night of the attack.
Because we know, as Jews, we must believe that even the impossible is possible.
This new year, it feels like even more of a challenge to think of renewal and redemption. Yet the concept of our teshuva, our return, has perhaps never been more poignant. As we enter into this new calendar year for our nation, we come face to face with the essential elements of our existence: our faith, our connection, our hope, and our belonging to the Jewish destiny.
After the destruction of our Temple and the exile from our homeland, the new year, the holiday season through Simchat Torah, became even more instrumental to our worship and extension of our faith while living as strangers among others. The source of our soul was far away - both geographically and spiritually. The holiday prayers and our festive tables became the place where we could pour out our inner selves among the people who loved us, and who understood the empty feeling left by the void of space and time. Jerusalem was far away, our sovereign rights and ancestral home destroyed. What we call today Zionism is but an extension of that longing, that thread of connection that nothing could sever.
With our aching hearts we now understand - What we accept as our blessing, our curse, our fate, is shared with those who never could imagine that there would be a free modern Jewish state renewed. We honor memory of the distant and recent past just the same, and we remain resolute in spite of the pain and the evil that threatens us.
No Amalek, no enemy, no evil, no comfortable lifestyle, no degree of assimilation or disconnect from Torah has broken our bond. And no modern movement of nihilistic fascism or socially acceptable Jewhatred will succeed either.
The hate movements growing around us today are but a reminder but just how true our history shows itself to be time and time again. And the lives we live as Jews today share much in common with the generations before us. The tests and obstacles, the hope and the despair, the dreams and the disillusionment - to survive them all, we have to seek the blessings, appreciate the bounty of our lives as Jews, challenge ourselves to hear Hashem, and to inherit the eternal and bestowed purpose of our existence however challenging the path might be.
When we gather in synagogue/shul/בית כנסת in these holy days, perhaps there are new faces, new interest, new desire for the traditions that have carried us through the generations. When we sit with our family and friends, perhaps there will be a fresh appreciation for the special practices and culinary delights that have been passed down since the blessing of a new year was gifted to our people that can become a part of your home traditions even after Rosh HaShanah Simanim Seder has passed. And when we return ourselves to the Torah, we realize that we cannot separate ourselves from the history or its lessons.
WHAT WE SAY: PRAYER
In these difficult times, the need for prayer and connection feels more vital than ever. The words in our siddur hold within them the power to lift us, to give us strength and courage as we navigate our lives. Prayer is our bridge to something higher—a way to connect to our ancestors, our heritage, and God. Yet, for many of us, the Hebrew prayers can feel distant or difficult to understand. But the beauty of prayer is that it doesn’t need to be perfect or eloquent—it just needs to come from the heart.
WATCH AND FIND YOUR PRAYER INSPIRATION
There is an old Jewish tale of a simple man who didn’t know how to recite the traditional prayers. Sitting in the back of the synagogue, all he could do was recite the Aleph Beis—the very letters of the Hebrew alphabet—over and over. He believed with all his heart that God would take those letters and form them into the correct prayers. And indeed, his pure intention and sincerity made his prayer the most exalted in the heavens, rising higher than the fluent, well-spoken prayers of those around him.
If you don’t know Hebrew well, don’t let that stop you from engaging. You can still try your best to connect. Start small—maybe with a single word or phrase that resonates with you. Even just saying "Modeh Ani" in the morning can set the tone for your day.
Copyright Elisabetta Furcht Italian Artist and Hostages Advocate
As we immerse ourselves in reflection and personal assessment during these Days of Awe, let us make an effort to find our own path to prayer. Let's bring the power of our collective voice, wherever we are, whatever our level of observance or fluency, because every word—no matter how simple—has the power to rise high when it comes from a place of pure intention.
Prayer is not about perfection. It’s about sincerity. It’s about showing up, even if we’re unsure of the words, and making the effort to connect to God, to recognize that He is the Creator of the world, we are His children, and that we can depend on Him, even when all looks uncertain. Whether you know one phrase or can say an entire tefillah, it’s the intention that counts. During these powerful chagim, some will be spending hours in synagogue, some will delve into the Jewish prayers that have been passed down from generation to generation, and some will rediscover those words, to take even small steps toward reconnecting with our faith and our strength as a people. But we all will have October 7 on our mind day after day, and we will all be trying to find the return in ourselves to a hope that will carry us forward.
LEARN AND RECITE PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL DURING THIS TIME OF NEED
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LISTEN TO SONGS THAT SPEAK OUR PRAYERS
WHAT WE DO
There are those gathering in person or online for commemorative programs.
There are thousands of events planned, and an abundance of online resources for remembering October 7 as we mark this tragic day.
And there are those who want to find meaningful ways to connect and cope once the ceremonies have ended, and yet we still cannot move on - just as we have been unable to do for this entire year. We still cannot breathe...
We invite you to take part in a special act of memorialization.
Create your own Calanit Forever and be a part of the global project, crafting personal flowers of memory as a symbolic gesture of remembrance.
In Jewish tradition, mitzvot — good deeds — are performed in the names of those we have lost. The art you create can be a mitzvah in itself, a way to spread light in the world for those whose light was extinguished too soon. It can remind us to spread kindness, bring hope where there is despair, and stand firm in the face of darkness.
Israel Forever has partnered with dozens of communities, bringing them our Healing Hearts programming. Since October 7th, we've been actively involved with communities that faced destruction on that fateful day, as well as those forced to flee their homes in both the North and South. We have provided community gatherings and discussions, and personal assistance to those in Israel and around the world in finding support and strength during this time.
Now, as we approach the first anniversary of October 7th, we reflect on those we've lost and commit to spreading light in their memory. Get your supplies today and do this craft with your family tomorrow as a personal memorial activity along with readings, candlelighting, or songs that can bring you and your friends or loved ones comfort.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
SHARE YOUR CRAFT WITH US
AND BE A PART OF THE GLOBAL VIRTUAL MEMORIAL GARDEN
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NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERESTED LEADERS
We have some great opportunities coming up for VCI to use your voice as a representative of Israel Forever. Contact us to learn more about how you can earn a seat at the table of leadership engagement.
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Now is the time. Now is the moment to reflect, recommit, and act.
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