In an evening filled with tears, laughter, song, and prayer, one feeling seemed to echo across the Wang Theatre on Monday night, as the Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) of Greater Boston hosted their Evening of Remembrance and Hope. The sentiment, expressed throughout the event and by many attendees, is that time froze on Oct. 7, 2023, and life for the Jewish community has yet to return to normal.

The first 100 seats of the theatre were empty, each chair marked with a sign that read “Bring Them Home” in reference to the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza. While most of the empty seats were meant to represent an adult hostage, two chairs held car seats, representing the two infant children still in captivity.

In an interview with The Beacon, Sarah Abramson, the executive vice president of strategy and impact of CJP, shared that in organizing the event, “[P]art of my commitment to the Jewish people is to be there for those who are no longer here to tell their own stories.” 

Abramson emphasized the value of community among Jews in reflecting on the attacks, the deadliest since the Holocaust.

“When you are feeling lonely, when you’re feeling that no one understands your pain, you need to be with people in your community and people who understand your community,” Abramson said. “For 90 minutes tonight, CJP wants to give people just a moment to breathe, just a moment to think about those we lost, just a moment to hold the pain that has felt isolating at times this past year.” 

Rabbi Marc Baker, the president and CEO of CJP, took to the podium as the event’s first speaker. 

“This is a night of remembrance and hope, but it’s also a night of gratitude for this extraordinary community,” Baker said. 

After a performance of “Lu Yehi” and “Let it Be,” Omri Attar, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer, shared his experience about being in Israel during the Oct. 7 attack, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 250 more kidnapped. He recalled losing 26 members in his unit.

“That day, I saw soldiers fighting to protect civilians,” Baker said. “I saw civilians and kibbutz members shielding each other from harm, willing to sacrifice themselves for their neighbors and friends.”

Bonnie Polin Pomper, the aunt of Hersch Goldberg-Polin, who was killed in captivity five weeks ago, urged the audience to raise awareness about the remaining hostages. 

“What I’ve heard countless times from [politicians], over and over again, is how helpful it is to hear about people, not numbers,” Pomper said.

RELATED | Photos: Boston Jewish community gathers for an Evening of Remembrance and Hope to honor lives lost on Oct. 7 attack

In an interview with The Beacon, Pomper said that during her nephew’s eulogy, she found inspiration to honor him by memorializing his name as part of a revolution and the ongoing conflict. 

“Sitting around and moping doesn’t help. My sister-in-law could have sat in her room and cried all day … but she took action and got up and found a sense of purpose,” Pomper said.

Jeremy Burton, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, led the Acheinu, or memorial prayer. He invited the audience to turn on electric candles, a Jewish tradition to symbolize the spirit and memory of a deceased loved one. 

“Together, we are replenishing all of the light that was taken from us,” Burton said.

Daniel Vaknine, who survived the Oct. 7 attacks after attending the targeted NOVA music festival, spoke about how the attacks impact him today. 

“Before Oct. 7, my life was ordinary … I enjoyed the simple moments, like anyone else,” Vaknine said. “Those of us who survived carry the weight for what felt like an eternity, and we still carry it today.” 

Vaknine told The Beacon that before Oct. 7, he was happy and full of life but has since encountered times where he no longer wanted to be alive.

“My grandparents, they [fought] all their lives to start a family and survive the Holocaust,” Vaknine said. “For me, to give up on [life] is not to do what they want me to do. Who am I to decide that I’m not supposed to be here after what I’ve been through and survived? I’m just going to push forward, no matter what happens … and keep spreading awareness about what is happening in Israel.”

After reciting Hatikvah, the National Anthem of Israel led by the Boston Area Clergy, Holocaust survivor Magda Bader took the podium. She spoke about her experience of being taken to Auschwitz at 13 years old. 

“I always explain how important it is that Israel exists because I believe that Jews can never be safe without Israel,” Bader said. “I hope more than anything, that we can find a way to live side by side in peace. Hope cannot wait.” 

Cantor Shanna Zell and Asher Navinsky then took to the stage to perform “One Day” by Matisyahu. The crowd sang, clapped, and waved prayer candles to the music. Baker then returned to the stage and said the attendees “transformed this theatre in Downtown Boston into a sanctuary.” 

“How can it be that there are still hostages in Gaza 365 days later?” Baker asked the crowd. Following chants of “bring them home,” Baker continued his speech, saying, “When our hearts break, they do not shatter into a thousand pieces, our hearts break open.” 

The event closed with Oseh Shalom, a prayer for peace, and at Monday night’s event, was used to advocate for peace in Israel. Attendees sang, clapped along, danced, and waved mini Israeli flags to the music while a video showed images of CJP’s past events.

“We choose resilience and growth. We choose light. We choose life. We always have and we always will,” Baker said.