Long Beach reflects on the year since the October 7 Hamas attack | Herald Community Newspapers

A little over a year ago, the terrorists struck.

On October 7, 2023, more than 1,200 men, women and children were killed at the hands of Hamas in Israel. More than 250 people were taken hostage, many of whom are still missing. The attacks sparked a year of continuous conflict.

Communities across the country marked the sobering anniversary on Monday. In Long Beach, residents of all faiths, local clergy and elected officials gathered at Temple Emanu-El to remember, mourn and pray together.

“I want to hear God’s voice, but I also want the souls of the murdered hostages to hear our voices,” said Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft, spiritual leader of the temple. “I want them to hear how much we care about them and that they didn’t die in vain. I want the families of the hostages to hear our voices and know that they are supported, that they are loved, and that we want them to find comfort in the midst of chaos. I want them to hear our voices so we can give them hope.”

Zanerhaft recalled a frightening hour that day when he went to an amusement park with his family. He held his son’s hand for a second. The next moment he was gone. Zanerhaft was separated from his son for an hour and he couldn’t imagine what the parents, who have been separated from their family members for a year, are feeling.

Councilman John Bendo recounted a four-month trip to Egypt he took several years ago while working as an engineer. A driver was assigned to escort him around and they began discussing religion. Bendo didn’t know much about the Muslim faith, so he asked questions and learned. He said he kept what he learned with him.

He learned that Muslims believe in the same prophets of God as Jews and Christians. And he realized how similar we all really are.

“If only we could remember what my friend the driver said in Egypt, that we all pray to the same God and that we have more common beliefs than differences,” Bendo said. “Can’t this be a basis for engaging in dialogue, broadening our understanding and compassion, bridging bonds and perhaps ultimately promoting peace? Don’t we owe it to children to stand up for one world? where they can grow up without fear, where they can live side by side in harmony, regardless of their origins? For me, this is a responsibility that we all have to share.”

Sam Pinto, president of the Long Beach Board of Education and a member of the city’s fire department, spoke about his nephew, who graduated from Long Beach High School and now serves in the Israel Defense Forces. Pinto’s brother visited Israel on October 7 and attended a family event with his son – Pinto’s nephew.

The nephew lives in a kibbutz, the neighboring kibbutz was searched. Some of the other residents of his nephew’s kibbutz were cycling and saw the threat approaching. They managed to set up a security perimeter to protect the kibbutz.

Pinto’s nephew was then added to a search and rescue team searching for hostages near Israel’s border with Lebanon. Pinto had the opportunity to speak with his nephew and was pleasantly surprised by what he did to help.

“We are saving the Palestinians,” his nephew told him. “We are saving the Palestinians from Hamas. There are people there who want to go to Israel, who want to be saved, who want to be saved, and we are pulling them out.”

His nephew did this for a few weeks. Then, a few days ago, a drone attack exploded on an Israeli army base. Pinto’s nephews were fine, but two friends he served with were killed.

“It’s bittersweet,” Pinto said. “You are upset that people have lost their lives, but you are relieved that your family is safe. We are all praying for miracles now. We pray for the safe return of the hostages. We pray for the safe return of all these soldiers and all the people who have been relocated. We pray for peace.”

Bishop Mark Moses of the New Life Church of Christ spoke of love, unity and peace.

“We stand united because an attack on any group is an attack on any group,” Moses said. “Sam talked about his nephew and how he was initially surprised that his nephew had to go in and get Palestinians. That came from love. Because Israel is a nation of love. And even in war, they still show love.”

The evening ended with the entire community – people of different backgrounds, careers and beliefs – singing the Israeli national anthem.