On the third anniversary of October 7, more than 1,000 people came together with CJP to remember, bear witness, and find strength in one another. Through the powerful stories of Ziv Abud and Eliya Cohen, the evening reminded us why community matters, especially when we need it most.
An Evening of Remembrance, Reflection, and Resilience
On October 7, our community gathered at Temple Shalom of Newton for a deeply moving evening of remembrance, reflection, and resilience. We were honored to hear from Ziv Abud and Eliya Cohen, who shared their heartbreaking and inspiring story of love, loss, survival, and resilience in the aftermath of October 7.
More than 750 people joined us in person, with an additional 340 participating online. Together, we created space to remember those we lost, honor those whose lives were forever changed, and listen to the people whose stories help us understand the lasting impact of that day.
The turnout reflected something profound: the desire to come together, to bear witness, and to stand in solidarity with Israel and one another.
The evening was made possible through the partnership of CJP, Temple Shalom of Newton, and the Israeli American Council (IAC). We are deeply grateful to our partners, the speakers who entrusted us with their stories, and the many colleagues and volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring the evening to life.
A Moment That Captured Why Community Matters
Sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen in ways no one could have planned.
Following the event, CJP colleague Sara Shapiro shared a story that captured the evening’s impact in a deeply personal way.
Two young women approached the guest services team hoping to purchase walk-in tickets. They explained that they were El Al flight attendants, in Boston overnight between shifts, and had found it difficult to be away from home on October 7. They were astonished by the number of people who had gathered to hear Ziv and Eliya speak.
They were grateful to have a place to commemorate the day and be part of a community. In return, Sara and the team were grateful that they had come.
Then, as the women were leaving, one shared something Sara would not soon forget: she had served in an Israel Defense Forces intelligence unit on October 7, 2023, and had been among those searching for Eliya while he was held captive in Gaza.
In that moment, the distance between the people in the room and the events they had gathered to remember seemed to disappear. A woman who had once been part of the effort to bring Eliya home found herself, three years later, listening to his story in a room full of people who cared.
As Sara reflected, the evening had offered the two women something more than a program. It had given them a place to feel connected to home, even while far away.
"It was a reminder that what we create together is so much more than an event. We create spaces where people find connection, comfort, belonging, and strength in one another, often in ways we could never have anticipated."
Bringing the Next Generation Into Community
The evening also created meaningful opportunities for students to take part in this shared act of remembrance.
Through CJP’s complimentary ticket program for Hillel partners, 20 students from Boston University Hillel attended the event. UMass Amherst Hillel also shared a heartfelt note of gratitude for the opportunity to bring students into the gathering.
One campus partner wrote:
“It was a powerful program. Between the High Holidays timing and our staff capacity, it was such a gift to our staff as well to offer such a high quality, impactful experience that didn't require the usual stress that planning past 10/7 programs has entailed. We felt so supported by CJP last night and certainly part of the greater Jewish community in our shared commemoration.”
These words speak to the importance of making space for students to connect with their Jewish community, hear personal stories, and participate in collective remembrance. They also reflect CJP’s commitment to supporting our campus partners and ensuring that students have opportunities to feel part of something larger than themselves.
Standing Together, Today and Always
We are grateful to Ziv Abud and Eliya Cohen for sharing their story with such honesty and courage, and to Temple Shalom of Newton and the Israeli American Council for their partnership. We also extend our deepest thanks to Bridgette, Alicia, our Marketing and Events colleagues, and every volunteer who helped make the evening possible.
We know that the impact of October 7 does not end with a single gathering. Its meaning continues to unfold in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. But evenings like this remind us that no one has to carry that weight alone.
At CJP, bringing people together is central to our work. In moments of grief and uncertainty, community can offer a place to listen, remember, support one another, and find the strength to move forward.
We remember together. We stand together. And we continue to show up for one another.
To learn more about CJP’s work supporting Israel and strengthening Jewish life in Greater Boston, visit CJP.org.