Arizona Jewish community remembers deadly terrorist attack one year later

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — One year ago on Monday, nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed, and over 250 others were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.

Members of Congregation Beth Israel came together Sunday night to remember those who lost their lives on Oct. 7, 2023, and the hostages that never made it back home.

“It’s extremely important for all of us to remember each and every day, each and every hostage and ultimately take a look at the big situation, which is we have got to figure out a way to resolve the wars,” Martin Shultz, a congregation member, said.

In the year since the terrorist attack, the Anti-Defamation League says its preliminary data shows more than 10,000 recorded instances of antisemitism in the U.S., the most in a single year since the ADL started tracking in 1979.

Rabbi Stephen Kahn says that in the year since the attack, many members of his congregation have found what he calls a renewed sense of purpose and vigor.

“I really started to personalize this. If this was me or my family, I would hope that there was someone out there praying for me,” said Allison Kierman, another congregation member.

Kahn suggests the best way to help and support the Jewish community is “by understanding all of the nuances of what’s going on in Israel right now.”

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