10/01/2025
Federation to Commemorate Two-Year Anniversary of Oct. 7
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News.
by Ellie Evans
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb talks about his support for the Jewish community of Northeast Ohio during the 10-7-23 Commemoration on Oct. 7 at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood. CJN Photo / Bob Jacob
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will hold its 10-7-23 Two-Year Commemoration at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Landerhaven at 6111 Landerhaven Drive in Mayfield Heights.
Hamas’ surprise attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 left over 1,200 people dead, while more than 250 were taken captive. The Federation’s commemoration is to be held in remembrance and mourning of the attack’s victims and prisoners, some of whom are still being held hostage, and to pray for the restoration of order in Israel.
“It’s important for us to come together as a community to comfort one another,” Rachel Glickman, co-chair of the event told the Cleveland Jewish News. “I think the magnitude of the attack is not lost on anyone, and coming together can help in the healing process. We want to honor the memory of those who were lost and pray for the release of the hostages and for future peace for all of us.”
Glickman
More than 2,500 people attended the Federation’s 10-7-23 Commemoration in 2024, where Rotem Sadeh, a Sderot wife, mother and survivor of the attack, gave a firsthand account of her experience.
This year, Glickman said a testimonial will be given by Yahel Lifshitz , a 42-year-old Oct. 7 survivor Yahel who was attending a nearby festival to the site of the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, a primary target of Hamas that day. Lifshitz also attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and is now the mother of two children.
Glickman also said Lior Carmel, chairman of Kibbutz Kissufim in the Gaza envelope, will share the story of his community’s strength and perseverance post-Oct. 7. She said the Federation has developed a partnership with this kibbutz to “help support them in their rebuilding” in the attack’s aftermath.
Glickman said the Federation hopes the firsthand accounts of Lifshitz and Carmel will help convey their intended message to attendees.
“We hope guests will continue to share the stories of what happened on Oct. 7,” she said. “By having Yahel and Lior come speak, (guests) can be witnesses to what happened. As so many people around us, even now, are trying to rewrite what occurred on that day, guests at the event can serve as witnesses, able to pass on the message of what really happened and why and how we need to remember for the sake of those we lost.”
Glickman said at the event, prayers will be recited in both Hebrew and English, and commemorative songs and poems will be shared, as well.
She said the Federation hopes to continue the event down the line because of the impact of Oct. 7 on Israeli society.
“We hope people feel the strength of our community when they come to this event,” Glickman said. “We hope they feel the strength of our commitment to Israel, and we hope they recognize they are part of that strength, and we all need each other in order to move forward in unity.”
The event is free, but attendess must register. To register visit shorturl.at/iqw3S.
