LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jewish Louisvillians for Peace hosted a “Time for Grief,” a candlelight vigil for victims of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel one year ago. 

JLP representative Siera Hanks says it’s time for remembrance and hope for peace.

“We’re here to mourn the unimaginable loss of mothers and fathers and children and aunties and uncles and grandpas. We’re here to mourn our family, our diaspora peers, our cousins,” said Hanks.

Hanks says the loss is felt here in Louisville and the group is reaffirming their commitment to peace and healing.

“Having some time to grieve that and sit with it can be supportive of making different choices in the future, or even just having stronger communities as we relate to our spaces,” said Hanks.

Through prayers, moments of silence and rituals, Louisvillians are honoring the lives lost in Hamas’s attacks on Israel. Jeff Levy offered a traditional Jewish prayer.

“A traditional prayer called the Kel Maleh Rachamim, it’s a prayer that has to do with God’s mercy, and one thing that really touches me about having the opportunity to offer this prayer is that traditionally it is a Jewish prayer, we’re expanding the circle to realize that Palestinian lives. We’re saying this prayer for all the lives that are lost,” said Levy.

Hanks says it’s important to dedicate time and show up for fellow community members.

“Well, this is an anniversary, but it’s also a mark of perpetuation. This conflict has not ended. People are still being killed in the West Bank, in Gaza, in Lebanon. In Israel, people are dying. It’s not something that’s over, and so this is not just a yard site like a mark. It’s also a reminder that this is still happening,” said Hanks.

Hanks hopes making this space for mourning and grief pushes people to live life and create change.