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By Sharon Rapoport
On October 7th, the San Diego Jewish community gathered at the Lawrence Family JCC for a solemn event commemorating the first anniversary of the attacks. The evening offered a space to mourn lost and shattered lives while drawing strength from unity.
The event included a Wall of Remembrance, a Hostage Square, and displays highlighting San Diego’s response to the tragedy. Attendees had the chance to interact with students from CSUSM, SDSU, FIDF soldiers, and local ShinShinim (young Israeli volunteers), all of whom shared personal reflections on how October 7th impacted their lives. Jewish Family Service’s Center for Jewish Care also hosted open conversations about grief, hope, and resilience.
The formal program featured moving speeches from Jewish and Israeli leaders. Among them was Oz Laniado, Executive Director of StandWithUs, who said, “There are no winners in wars, and we as Jews are not finding joy even when our enemies are suffering or dying; it’s not in our DNA, but something we just don’t have a choice.” The event also featured emotional testimonies from relatives of hostages, while IDF’s reservists and their families received extended applause. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria expressed his continued support for the local Jewish community and Israel.
The evening closed with a collective rendition of “One Day” by Matisyahu, symbolizing the hope for peace. Hosted by various community organizations, the event fostered reflection and solidarity, ensuring the memory of October 7th will resonate deeply within the community.
UCSD Students Supporting Israel Hosts Memorial Event Marking October 7th Anniversary
UC San Diego’s newly formed chapter of Students Supporting Israel (SSI) marked the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel with a memorial event. Its goal was to honor the lives lost and those still held hostage, creating a space for remembrance and reflection on the tragedy.
The centerpiece of the memorial was a dinner table set with 101 seats, each representing a hostage still in captivity, including a highchair for baby Kfir. Sunflowers added a hopeful touch to the somber tribute.
The event drew many students who stopped to view the display and read informational panels about Israel’s history. The memorial encouraged civil conversations about the ongoing conflict and the human toll it has taken.
Andrew Jeter, president of the UCSD SSI chapter, said, “It’s not about being on the news. It’s about raising visibility for those who lost their lives and for those who remain imprisoned by Hamas. I will never stop fighting for what is right.”
The event marked the beginning of UCSD’s SSI chapter, which plans to hold more events to raise awareness and foster dialogue on campus.
Run for their Lives: San Diego’s Ribbon of Hope
On Sunday, October 6th, the San Diego chapter of Run for Their Lives gathered to raise awareness for the 101 hostages who have been held captive for a year. Clad in yellow shirts adorned with photos of the hostages and carrying flags representing their respective countries, participants formed a symbolic “Bring Them Home” ribbon before walking along the Bay.
Run for their Lives is a Global run/walk event calling for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas.
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