We memorialize the one-year mark of the October 7th terror attacks throughout this special October edition of our 360 newsletter. This issue features a special curated selection of stories and articles focusing on October 7th commemorations held both here in Montreal and in Israel.

Thousands of Montrealers Gather for October 7th Memorial at Hampstead Park

On the one-year anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel, our community gathered in mourning, prayer and song at Hampstead Park. We remembered all those who lost their lives, paid tribute to the heroes who fought to defend our people, prayed for the hostages who remain in captivity and reaffirmed our community’s strength and commitment to Israel.

Click here to watch the full ceremony, which included remarks from Federation CJA Board Chair Steve Sebag, President & CEO Yair Szlak, Consul General to Israel Paul Hirschson, Raquel Look and Ya’ara Mano, one of our Shinshinit in Montreal who survived the attacks on Kibbutz Re’im.

For a recap of Monday night’s ceremonies, have a listen to our Federation 360 podcast report.

On Campus: Student Unity Vigil Brings Community Together at McGill University

Students, faculty, and members of the greater Montreal community gathered on Monday afternoon outside McGill’s Roddick Gates on Sherbrooke Street for a student unity vigil. The commemoration was held in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the October 7th attacks as well as in solidarity with the 101 hostages still being held captive in Gaza.

Israelis Grieve Together on October 7th

We take you to Israel as our brothers and sisters mark the solemn anniversary of the October 7th terror attacks by comforting each other through their collective grief.

Visit Federation CJA’s Special October 7th Memorial Site Open Until Thursday

We invite you to visit the special memorial site in the Charles R. Bronfman Peace Garden at 2 Cummings Square, a place where community members can come together to pay tribute to the lives lost. At the installation, open from 11am-7pm until Thursday October 10th, visitors will bear witness to the harrowing events of October 7th. Amidst our collective mourning and reflection, the memorial is a place to find solace knowing that “We Will Dance Again.”

Join the West Island Commemorative Havdalah | Saturday October 26, 2024

We invite the community to come together in the West Island for a commemorative Havdalah service marking the first anniversary of the Simchat Torah massacre. Join us for a special Torah cover dedication honoring Alexandre Look z”l.

Tune in to our October 7th Commemoration Federation 360 Podcast Episode 35

An extended and moving conversation with Eitan Chitayat – branding professional, activist and social media influencer. And podcast reporter Jordan Stoopler reports on fighting antisemitism in non-Jewish day schools.

View The Sisterhood Exhibit, Highlighting Strength and Connection

This moving exhibit on display in Ukraine and Warsaw, courtesy of The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror (supported by Federation CJA’s Israel Emergency Fund) features portraits by acclaimed Israeli photojournalist Avishag Shaar-Yashuv. It demonstrates nine relationships between women, showcasing their deep connections forged amidst pain and darkness.

Raquel Look, One Year Later

It has been one year since Montrealer Alexandre Look was murdered by Hamas militants at the Supernova music festival in Israel. Amidst her lingering pain, his mother Raquel vows to continue speaking up against antisemitism and act as a voice for those still being held hostage.

Antisemitism Task Force Calls on Government to Take Concrete Action

On the one-year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas terror attack on Israel, The J7 Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism are pleading with governments to speak up. The group, comprised of seven of the largest Jewish communities outside Israel (including Canada), are urging political leaders to show their support for Israel and take concrete action to fight antisemitism through legal and educational strategies.

“We Will Dance Again” Documentary Shares Stories of Survival from Nova Music Festival Attack

The documentary “We Will Dance Again” is now available for streaming on Paramount+. It offers a first-hand account of survival from Nova music festival survivors as they describe their harrowing journey in great detail.

Director Yariv Mozer and Nova music festival survivor Yuval Siman Tov discuss their personal stories from October 7th and the importance of documenting it all on film.

Jews Worldwide Strongly Encouraged to Read Gil Troy Publications in Order to Better Advocate for Israel

A recent Jerusalem Post opinion piece advocates in favour of Gil Troy, public speaker, author, and distinguished scholar in North American history at McGill University. Readers are proposed various Troy publications, aimed at better equipping them with the tools needed to advocate for Israel across the diaspora amidst rising antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

Federation CJA Invites You to Go ALL iN with Us

In an op-ed piece published in The Suburban, Federation CJA President & CEO Yair Szlak and Board Chair Steve Sebag encourage the community to go ALL iN to combat rising antisemitism and growing security risks here in Montreal.

New Immigrants Arriving in Droves to Israel Under Backdrop of Ongoing War

Despite the war in Israel, nearly 31,000 new immigrants from over 100 countries have made Aliyah to the Jewish state, with close to a third of this year’s immigrants between the ages of 18-35. Canada is one of the leading countries of origin for the new olim, with an 87% increase in the opening of immigration files since the beginning of the war.

The Fight Against Antisemitism Crosses Party Lines

Former members of the Liberal, Conservative, and NDP parties have put political affiliations aside to co-author an opinion piece denouncing antisemitism. They call on all Canadians to take a strong stance against antisemitism themselves for the betterment of the country as a whole.