San Diego residents joined with communities around the world Monday to solemnly commemorate the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and sparked a war that has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza.

Thousands of local community leaders, Jewish residents and their neighbors gathered at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla to mourn those killed in the surprise attack by Hamas, which the U.S. government and others have labeled a terrorist organization.

Meanwhile just a few miles away at UC San Diego, hundreds of pro-Palestinian students hosted their own vigil to call for a cease-fire and memorialize the 41,000 people killed in Israel’s military response in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack.

The Jewish family center event appeared similar to a vigil held last year in the immediate aftermath of the attack, with thousands of attendees bowing their heads in prayer, waving Israeli national flags and sharing stories of friends and family who live in the war-torn area.

Mayor Todd Gloria shared on stage how the local community has a two-decade-long relationship with its sister community in Israel, Sha’ar Hanegev.

Before Ofir Libstein, the mayor of the Israeli community and Gloria’s personal friend, was killed in the attack, local members of the Jewish community would host camps together, organize college exchange programs and share their homes with one another’s families. On the morning of the attack, Gloria said he texted Libstein to check on him and his family. There was never a reply.

“All of us have very personal connections to the tragedies and horrors of that particular day,” Gloria said during an emotional speech at the event. “And today is a day to remember all of those individuals and to commit our city to continuing to stand in solidarity with those who were killed or lost.”

Prior to the stage program, the event included various experiential and reflection opportunities, such as a wall of remembrance, where attendees could see the photos of those killed in the attack, and displays of San Diego’s response in the wake of the tragedy. An interactive display allowed people to write messages of solidarity for the roughly 100 people who are believed to still be held captive by Hamas.

Ayal Adamit, a San Diego resident, said he brought his 4-year-old son to the event not only to teach him more about the attack on their ancestral land, but to also have him experience a sense of community among Jewish people mourning together.

“It’s just about being here and being a part of the larger family, the larger community and standing together,” Adamit said. “I’m sure there’s many people here that have never stepped foot in Israel, but they’re still here showing support … and believe we have a right to exist.”

Heidi Gantwerk, president of the Jewish Federation of San Diego, reminded people in the audience that coming together on nights like Monday strengthens the local Jewish community as well as the resolve of the Israeli people thousands of miles away.

“We will surely face enduring challenges and new battles. But we must and we will be strong,” Gantwerk said. “While we may not be quite out the other side, we know that we are a community of action and strength. A community that tries — through action — to turn pain into purpose.”

Earlier Monday, about 150 people from the Jewish community and supporters held a vigil in front of UC San Diego’s Geisel Library. The names of those who were taken hostage and those who were killed were read aloud, bringing tears to the eyes of some people.

“This is sad and infuriating,” said Eli Berman, a UC San Diego economics professor who attended.

History professor Tal Golan added, “This is not just for the Jewish people. We also recognize the many others who died.”

The university is investigating a complaint from a woman who said that an unidentified person spat at her during the Jewish vigil, a university spokesperson said. No further information was available.

Later that evening, about 300 pro-Palestinian supporters held a vigil for the lives lost on the other side of the Israel-Gaza border and called for an end to what they described as Israel’s human rights violations in Gaza.

The majority wore face masks or kaffiyehs. Some held signs that said, “Long Live the Student Intifada” and “Lebanon and Palestine Together Until Victory.” The crowd chanted: “Free, free Palestine.”

The school had earlier received pushback from numerous community members who wrote to the school urging Chancellor Pradeep Khosla not to allow the event to happen on the anniversary of the Hamas attack.

An unidentified speaker said the university allowed them to stage the vigil in the free speech zone in front of the library.