Hundreds gather in Chicago’s northern suburbs to remember the Oct. 7 attack on Israel

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) – Hundreds of people gathered in the northern suburb of Highland Park on Sunday evening to pause and remember on the eve of the one-year commemoration of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel.

More than 1,200 people were killed in the massacre on October 7, 2023. More than 100 hostages are believed to remain held captive in Gaza.

At the event at Port Clinton Square in Highland Park, clergy led memorial prayers and event organizers and community leaders delivered remarks. Participants also walked together to a temporary memorial near St. Johns Avenue and Central Avenue.

The event was organized by a group of mothers who call themselves Shamash, which is the name of the additional candle used to light the other candles on a Hanukkah menorah.

“Shamash” means “helper” or “servant” in Hebrew, which members say they want to be for the community in the face of the attack.

Vigils were also held on Sunday evening in London and Paris, as well as at the Nova festival site where a Hamas attack occurred, with some family members of the victims also taking part.

Meanwhile, demonstrators in cities including Detroit protested on Sunday against the ensuing war in the Middle East and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli strikes killed more than 41,000 people in Gaza last year.

Back in Chicago, people of all faiths gathered at the famous Ramova Theater I Bridgeport on Sunday evening to raise money for humanitarian relief in Gaza. The funds went toward relief supplies and programs that promote unity and understanding through art and music.