A gathering of over 100 people took place in Pikesville on Sunday to commemorate the second anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel. This annual march, organized by members of the Jewish community from various denominations, sought to remember the Israeli hostages still held in captivity following the assault by Hamas, which took place during the Nova Music Festival in 2023. The attack is recognized as “HaShabat HaShḥora” (Black Saturday) and “The Simchat Torah Massacre.”
Jay Bernstein, representing the humanitarian group Run for Their Lives, emphasized the importance of these marches in keeping the plight of the hostages in public consciousness. “The key for us is to let the hostages, their families know, and the world know that we have not forgotten them and that we are in solidarity with them and we demand their release,” Bernstein stated. “There is so much going on in the world, so it’s a way for us to remind ourselves because this stains the world, it stains the hostages’ families.”
Bernstein’s organization has initiated running events aimed at advocating for the release of Israeli hostages taken during the attack.
March Symbolizes Unity and Urgency
Howard Libit, Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, echoed Bernstein’s sentiments. “There are still hostages being held who are alive as well as the bodies of hostages who are being held, and we are commemorating the two years of loss,” Libit remarked. He expressed hope that a peace agreement facilitated by the United States could bring an end to the fighting and lead to the release of all hostages.
During the march, participants donned yellow ribbons inscribed with the number 730, signifying the days since the attack. Many waved Israeli and American flags, while others held images of hostages who remain unaccounted for. Senior Rabbi Rachel Sabath-Beit Halachmi from the Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation described the marches as “incredibly moving and inspiring,” noting the unprecedented unity demonstrated by Jewish residents from diverse backgrounds.
The event’s significance was underscored by the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Rabbi Sabath-Beit Halachmi stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid to all innocent parties affected by the conflict. “The Zionist state is about equality and a concern for all human beings,” she stated. “The fact that this horrific attack has put both parties in this situation for 730 days is just so awful. I believe it has to stop and it will stop.”
She highlighted the historical context of the conflict in the Middle East and the critical role the United States must play in facilitating peace.
Among the crowd, George Faber, a Carroll County resident, expressed concern for his relatives in Israel. “The fact that she has no other family there, just friends, scares me,” Faber shared, referring to his aunt. He drew parallels between the attack on the music festival and the September 11 attacks in the United States, emphasizing the need for solidarity to end the violence.
Ceremony Honors Victims and Calls for Action
Following the march, a ceremony was held inside the congregation to honor the hostages and the lives lost since October 7. Videos promoting unity among the Israeli people were shown, along with a message from Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “Maryland stands with Israeli people and we support their right to exist in the region with the same sense of safety and security that we all have,” Moore stated. He condemned anti-Semitism and hate in all forms, asserting the need to confront such issues whenever they arise.
Rabbi Sabath-Beit Halachmi addressed the continuous threats against Jewish communities, referencing a recent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, which resulted in the death of an 82-year-old woman. She reiterated the need for the Jewish community to remain strong and united in the face of hatred, calling for support for all citizens of Israel, regardless of their faith.
As of October 7, 2023, approximately 48 Israeli hostages were taken during the attack. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the number of Palestinian casualties has surpassed 64,000 since the incident, according to PBS. The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory recently released a report alleging that Israel has committed acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The march and subsequent ceremony not only served as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by those impacted by the conflict but also underscored the community’s commitment to advocating for peace and unity in a challenging environment.
