As dusk settled on the state capitol, several hundred New Hampshire residents gathered to remember the horrors of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack in Israel one year ago and to appeal for hope today.
At a vigil organized by the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire, speaker after speaker also condemned the surge in antisemitism in the U.S. since the attack and pledged to remain firm in the fight.
“We have faced many difficulties, such as bricks being thrown through our synagogue windows, swastikas being painted, and our children being bullied by antisemitism in their schools, just to name a few,” said Jeremy Berger, the event host. “Many of us have been made to feel unsafe. We have, quite frankly, begun to doubt if the place of Jews in North America is secure.
“And yet, look at what we’ve done by refusing to back down, by standing up for our pride in being Jewish and our need to be safe and secure,” he added. “We found new strength in our collective action, forged new alliances and enlisted the aid of our elected officials. There’s a surge of interest in Jewish life, and we are rising to meet that moment. We have fought back against hatred and ignorance and stood up for our freedoms and values.”
The vigil featured the lighting of a torch by a daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, prayers in Hebrew, a moment of silence, and a mini-sermon by Pastor Thomas Peetz with Christians United for Israel.
“We are the People of the Book,” Peetz told the crowd. “The Christians are called the Sunday people. The Jews are the Saturday people. But we worship the same God. Christians need to understand we’re tied at the heart with our Jewish brothers and sisters. You’re stuck with us!”
Among the speakers were Maya Sakran of Dartmouth College, who was born and raised in Maghar, a town in northern Israel, and is a member of the Druze community. She told the story of a Druze soldier in the Israeli Defense Force who fought on Oct. 7 to repel the attack and later gave his life for his fellow soldiers while fighting in Gaza.
“Over the generations, the Druze people have stood alongside justice, peace and security. We’re not just a part of Israel’s past, but also an integral part of its present and its future,” Sakran said.
Amid the calls for hope and unity, however, were repeated reminders that antisemitism has been on the rise and is a reality for Jews right here in New Hampshire.
“October 7 was not just an attack on Israel. It was an attack on all Jews, wherever we live,” said Allyson Guertin, director of the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire. “It was a stark reminder that antisemitism remains alive and in ways, is growing.
“In the aftermath of that terrible day, we have seen a disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents, both here in New Hampshire and across the globe: the hateful rhetoric, the threats, the violence. They are all part of an alarming resurgence of the same prejudice and intolerance we thought we had left behind.”
But, Guertin noted, the crowd gathered at the State House included many people who are not Jewish, who came out to show their solidarity with the Jewish people.
“Your presence here tonight sends a powerful message of solidarity. It reaffirms that we do not stand alone in the face of hate.”
The attendees were bipartisan as well.
Former New Hampshire Speaker of the House Bill O’Brien was on hand, with a list of the names of the four American citizens among the 100 or so people still being held hostage by Hamas: Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Omer Neutra and Keith Siegel.
“I’m here to help everyone remember that Israel is the strongest democracy in the world at this point — stronger than America — and one of our best allies in the world. I’m also here to so people will remember the four Americans that are being held hostage today.”
Democratic Rep. Loren Selig of Durham handed out candles to attendees. She told NHJournal, “I think it’s important that we are honest about remembering what happened, what precipitated the attack, and also to reflect on the incredible loss of life that has happened since then and is continuing to happen worldwide.”
Adi Ziv of Londonderry said his message was “hope the government will wake up and do something to release the hostages, even if there needs to be compromise. At this point, after 365 days, I don’t know how many of them are alive, but whoever is alive — and the bodies of the others — need to be back home.”
Hollie Noveletsky, owner of Novel Iron Works and a candidate in the GOP NH-01 primary, said she came to the State House because, “I’m Jewish, and I’m a strong believer in Israel.
“I think it’s important that we stand and be counted and have our voices heard, because we have lost our moral compass in this world. We need to be the voice of that moral compass.”
