On October 16 at the University of Arizona, students and staff from the Hillel Foundation joined to commemorate the brutal attack and massacre in Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. Several Jewish organizations and student groups, including Students Supporting Israel, Homeland, Stand With Us, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Chabad, Olami, and Campus Coalition, participated in Thursday’s events. Outside Old Main, 1,200 blue and white flags were placed to represent the fallen victims, with 251 yellow flags to represent the Israeli hostages taken.
The halls of Hillel presented a somber yet hopeful exhibition presented by the Anu Museum of the Jewish People, featuring unimaginable stories and images depicted by artists wishing to share their stories. With the recent news of the hostages being released, visitors were able to view the Weintraub Israel Center exhibition as well, featuring raw photos taken of the returning families. A message to the families of those who will not return or have yet to return is one of hope, prayer, and resilience.
Before the speaker, Nova Music Festival survivor and speaker Hadar Sharvit, shared her story, therapy dogs (each equipped with their own collector’s card) joined students on the patio for love and decompression. Another space was open for all to write comforting letters to the IDF soldiers. As the community welcomed Sharvit, the room was silent as they listened to her story.
To conclude the evening, all were invited to partake in a community candlelighting service and Hatikvah led by a group of Hillel’s student volunteers. Standing together as a united front in the midst of despair is nothing short of awesome power. The evening left students and members of the community with a newfound sense of hope and respect, overpowering that of fear. The impactful events of the day and evening resound with a unanimous mantra that, as a people, we will never forget the lives lost.
