Montreal residents gathered on Wednesday evening to mark the third anniversary of the devastating Hamas-led assault that claimed the lives of 1,200 individuals in Israel and resulted in the abduction of 251 people.
Rabbi Lisa Grushcow emphasized the profound impact of the October 7, 2023 attack on the Jewish community in Montreal, stating that the event has permanently altered the lives of its members.
Grushcow urged non-Jewish Montrealers to seek understanding by educating themselves about Jewish identity and Zionism, promoting empathy rather than division.
The commemorative event, organized by Federation CJA and the Montreal Jewish community, took place at the Gelber Conference Centre. Attendees paid respects through a moment of silence, candle lighting, and shared prayers and musical tributes.
The program included a firsthand account from Lee Rahav, who defended Kibbutz Nirim during the 2023 attacks. Subsequently, Israel initiated a retaliatory campaign in Gaza resulting in significant casualties.
To highlight Nirim’s recovery and its ties to Montreal, the event featured video presentations and the creation of a community mosaic to be installed in Israel.
Grushcow stressed the importance of recognizing the human impact of the attacks, emphasizing that the majority of those affected were innocent civilians.
Eliaz Luf, the consul general of Israel in Montreal, emphasized the global significance of such commemorations as a means to prevent future tragedies.
Raquel Look, the mother of Alexandre Look who perished in the attack, expressed the ongoing pain of her loss and the community’s support in keeping her son’s memory alive.
Robert Presser, a CIJA Quebec board member, underscored the commemoration’s role in raising awareness and uniting the community against future threats.
The event served not only as a tribute but as a statement of resilience and a reminder of the gravity of the October 7 attack.