Maine's Jewish community marks one year since deadly Hamas attack

PORTLAND (WGME) – Monday marks one year since Hamas attacked Israel killing 1,200 people and taking hundreds more as hostage. Maine’s Jewish community commemorated the day, gathering at the Jewish Community Alliance Center in Portland to mourn and remember those lost.

“The cemeteries are filling up,” said Dr. Eric Dinnerstein, an Israeli American who spoke at Monday’s event. “There are some who do not have a gravesite.”

A candlelight vigil was held in remembrance of those who were killed October 7, and in support for those taken hostage. Mourners hearing about the atrocity firsthand from a survivor.

“People are saying I have a family member who is wounded please send security squad to me,” said Keren Borovsky Oren, a survivor of the October 7 attack. “In a different neighborhood people are saying the terrorist burned our home, what can we do please come and save us.”

The 200 attendees in Portland were protected by heightened security. The safety measures were sparked by a rise in antisemitism across the country, including in Maine.

“The anti-Semitic increase in the wake of October 7 is real,” said CEO of Jewish Community Alliance Leslie Kirby. “And it hasn’t just been words there have been people who have been attacked.”

Across the city, Portland Mayor Mark Dion signed a proclamation, remembering those who were lost in last year’s attack.

“The trauma of October 7 has reverberated across the world with Jewish communities including here in Portland,” said Dion.

It was an act praised by organizers but questioned by some attendees who were frustrated the city voted to divest from Israel last month.

“Why did that phony vote to divest from Israel?” an attendee shouted out at the commemoration event in Portland.

Monday’s remembrance was filled with song and prayer. And similar events happened all over the state, linked together virtually.

“I think it’s really important,” said Margery Goldberg, who attended the commemoration. “In our tradition people support each other during trauma and the loss of loved ones.”