Mercaz Harav victims to be remembered across globe

Communities in every country in North and South America, most of Europe and nearly all the former Soviet Union will participate in the initiative.

By HAVIV RETTIG GUR
Mercaz Harav library 224 (photo credit: AP)
Mercaz Harav library 224
(photo credit: AP)
Hundreds of gatherings will be held in Jewish communities worldwide on Thursday to mark the end of the shiva, or week-long mourning period, for the eight students slain by a terrorist in Jerusalem's Mercaz Harav Yeshiva last week. Communities in every country in North and South America, most of Europe and nearly all the former Soviet Union will participate in the initiative, which is being coordinated by the Jewish Agency's network of some 500 emissaries and representatives. A gathering in Paris will include President Shimon Peres, who is on a state visit to the country, together with Bnei Akiva youth movement members and student groups. The rallies and prayer meetings will range in size from a few dozen participants to hundreds, and, organizers hope, even thousands, and will take place in synagogues, schools, university campuses and community centers. "We will bring word of this terrible attack to every corner of the world," vowed agency chairman Ze'ev Bielski. The Jewish Agency has prepared an information kit on-line to help Jewish communities in organizing events, available at www.jewishagency.org/solidarity. The kits include background information about the yeshiva, biographies of those killed and video and photographs from the scene of the shooting. The footage and photographs may be unsuitable for children.