Connecticut’s Jewish community reflects on the anniversary of the Israel/Hamas war

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — As tensions rise overseas ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hamas's invasion in Israel, so do calls for change back here in Connecticut.

There are a dozen gatherings happening this weekend and Monday to commemorate the somber anniversary. Sunday Jewish Voice for Peace New Haven gathered to perform a special ritual today during the Jewish High Holidays to mourn the dead in Israel, Gaza and now Lebanon.

"It's been such a painful, long year," said Co-Founder Shelly Altman.

"Today we are marking one year of insurmountable grief," said Chapter Coordinator Miranda Rector.

A moment of reflection, repair and recommitment to their highest selves.

"Kel hiyim yikrim, which means in Hebrew every life is precious," said Altman.

People performed a Tashlich ritual at Quinnipiac River Park by throwing stones into the water to symbolize casting sins away.

"It's always a time for reflection for the Jewish community Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur period," Altman said. "What we have today is an interesting mix of Jewish ritual and political activism, that doesn't usually happen, usually you are in one space or the other."

The ritual and time between the High Holidays also marks a time of mourning as the world reflects on the one-year anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel that led to war in Gaza. This afternoon, Jewish Voice for Peace New Haven called for change, a ceasefire and for the U.S. Government to enact an arms embargo.

"Jewish community members like me cannot stand for this anymore," Rector said. "Having their families destroyed in my name, enough is enough. The United States government continues to be complicit by sending billions and billions of dollars for weapons to Israel."

Last month Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a resolution to block $20 billion dollars in arm sales to Israel. It is unlikely to pass but it is the largest pushback from congress to date.

State Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding sent News 8 a quote saying in part, "Connecticut continues to lock arms with the people of Israel. The entire Senate Republican Caucus stands in unwavering support of Israel and its ability to defend itself. We honor the memories of the victims, and we condemn antisemitism in the strongest of terms."

To commemorate the somber day there are several events happening around Connecticut Monday including an evening of remembrance at the Woodbridge JCC, a ceremony with the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford at Beth El Temple in West Hartford and an event of remembrance and hope in Greenwich all starting at 7 p-m.

Those events and Sunday's in New Haven commemorate the tens of thousands of lives lost and pushing for peace.

"We are doing this for our descendants, so they have a better world than the one we are living in right now," said Rector.