Last night, thousands gathered in person and online for a moving, community-wide memorial to mark two years since the October 7th attacks. 

Together, we reflected on the deadliest day in the history of the State of Israel. We remembered the beautiful lives taken that day, including eight Canadians. And we reaffirmed our solidarity with the hostages and their families, as we anxiously hope to see their reunion. The full program may be viewed here.

Each Passover, we say: “In every generation, they stand against us to destroy us.” Two years ago, we witnessed that painful truth in our own generation.

On October 7th and in the two years since, we’ve also seen how there are Jewish heroes among us who rise up in every generation. 

I think of the countless stories of extraordinary courage on October 7th. Canadians like Adi Vital-Kaploun, Netta Epstein, Alexandre Look, Ben Mizrahi, and others who gave their lives so that others would live.

I think of the hundreds of young Israelis who have fallen—some as young as teenagers—and the thousands more who will spend the rest of their lives healing in body and mind.

I think of the hostages and their families, including Eli Sharabi, Emily Damari, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, and others. After enduring unimaginable suffering, they would have been justified to retreat from the public eye. But they never stopped speaking out, reminding the world of the truth, and advocating for the return of every last hostage. 

And at a time when jihadists and antisemites are targeting our Diaspora communities, I think of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby. Heroes who gave their lives to protect others when their Manchester synagogue was savagely attacked on Yom Kippur. 

Tonight, we will begin Sukkot, which tradition refers to as zman simchateinu, the time of our joy. The contrast with this painful anniversary feels jarring, and the distance between celebration and mourning too extreme to bridge. But October 7th didn’t only show us the depths of evil—it also revealed the greatness that walks among the Jewish people in our generation.  

And it is in the merit of the greatest among us that we celebrate our traditions and stand proudly today, honouring our heroes and cherishing the memory of all whom we’ve lost.

May their legacy inspire and unite us, tomorrow and always. 

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Chag Sukkot Sameach, 

Adam Minsky
President & CEO

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto