A moving gathering was held by the Jewish community of London on Monday night in honor of the victims of a recent Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7th, with representatives of families of those who were kidnapped to Gaza by Hamas.
The highlight of the event was one of the female members, reciting the Kaddish, a traditional Jewish prayer for the deceased. The event took place in collaboration with representatives from the Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Gesher Organization, and the World Jewish Congress. At the center of the attention were members of a delegation of families directly affected by the attacks, who shared their heart-wrenching stories at the British Parliament earlier on Monday.
A pivotal moment during the event was the recitation of the Kaddish, led by Ofri Bibas. Bibas’s brother Yarden was abducted along with his wife, Shiri, and their two children Ariel (four) and Kfir (nine months old) from their home in Nir Oz. During the event, Bibas asked for the prayer to be said on behalf of her sister-in-law, Shiri Bibas, who couldn't attend her own parents' funeral due to her current captivity in Gaza.
Overwhelming community support
Shiria Shiriaz Zik, director of the Gesher Institute for Leadership and leader of the delegation, eloquently captured the mood of the evening on Monday: "The Jewish community of London has shown overwhelming support, embracing the affected families and exemplifying the unity of the Jewish people. This event not only highlighted our collective sorrow but also our shared hope for a brighter future."
This initiative, organized by the Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Gesher, and AM"I – the National Alliance Strengthening Israelis' Connection to World Jewry, aims to engage with global leaders and influencers to support Israel's efforts against terrorist organizations and secure the return of the captives.
The event took place in South Hempstead synagogue, led by Rabbi Eli and Lauren Levin.