WORCESTER, Mass. — A Central Massachusetts rabbi is honoring the lives lost on Oct. 7th, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel. 

It was the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust. 

This Thursday is Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday Rabbi Mendel Fogelman calls one of the happiest day on the Jewish calendar. 

Last year, it fell on Oct. 7, which is why he said Hamas chose the day for their attack. 

This year, to honor the victims, Fogleman will unveil a tapestry with the names of the 1,200 people killed. 

"We printed up the names of the 1,200 people who were killed on Simchat Torah, and they're going to be with us on Simchat Torah here on the bimah," he said. "And we're going to dance for the Jewish souls of these 1,200 people. We're going to remember them that day. But that night is the grand celebration. Any Jew who lives within this area belongs here on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. to dance for those Jewish souls."

Rabbi Fogelman is encouraging people to join their celebration Thursday night at the Central Mass Chabad on Newton Avenue in Worcester.