WORCESTER, Mass. - It’s been one year since Hamas lead a surprise attack on Israel killing more than 1,000 people, the first strike in what soon became an all-out war still raging today.

In the months since, Israel’s retaliation in Gaza killing more than 40,000 Palestinians has mobilized large-scale protests and opposition to the war.

For the local Jewish community, every day brings a new conversation about the ongoing war, and Rabbi Mendel Fogelman, executive director of the Central Mass Chabad, feels they have shown resilience.

“We live with this 24 hours a day since Oct. 7, since Simchat Torah,” Fogelman said. “Since that day, we meet here three times a day for synagogue. Every conversation, every time, is always about what happened that day, what's going on now… It’s something that we live with 24 hours a day, and Jews all over the world are united.”

The surprise Hamas attack took place on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, traditionally one of the most joyous occasions of the year. This year, it falls on October 24 and 25, and Fogelman said the Central Mass Chabad has plans to honor those lost and celebrate the holiday with pride.

“I’m asking everyone, please, the whole community, to join us Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., to dance with the Torah,” Fogelman said. “It’s very important that we all dance for the 1,200 people, for their souls, for the Jewish souls that were kill.ed that day. We have to dance for them that night and celebrate.”

Those opposed to Israel’s retaliations continue to call for the U.S. to end military aid to Israel, with thousands marching into Boston on Sunday to spread the message.

In a statement, Cole Harrison of Massachusetts Peace Action called for a "stop to the flow of death that is destroying Palestinians and Lebanese."

“The World Court in July ruled Israel’s occupation of Palestine illegal, and the U.N. General Assembly last month called on it to leave the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem within a year,” Harrison said. “A large majority of Americans favor ending U.S. military aid to Israel. Thousands marched yesterday in Boston to spread that message.”

Peggy Shukur, vice president of the East Division of the Anti-Defamation League, criticized the protests.

“Oct. 7 is a date that demands our singular focus on the acts of terrorism committed in Israel on that day one year ago, on those murdered in the attacks and on the 101 hostages that remain captive. It has been traumatizing to see Hamas and Hezbollah -  known terrorist organizations  - glorified, and the heinous attacks of Oct. 7 celebrated on campuses and public squares, as recently as yesterday in Boston Common,” Shukur said. “It has become a sad ritual to write the number of days the hostages have been held by Hamas on a piece of masking tape and affix the tape to one’s shirt. We hope others will join us in that act of remembrance on Oct. 7.”

For Rabbi Fogelman, the months since have also brought support from beyond the local Jewish community.

“People will come by and literally scream ‘God bless the Jews, God bless the Torah, God bless Israel, may God protect you people,” Fogelman said. “People sit here in the field, it’s really interesting. There are people who feel really strongly.”

The anniversary was also marked locally by plans to hold candlelight vigils at Clark University and Temple Beth El in Springfield. Gov. Maura Healey also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of those who were killed.