W&L Remembers October 7, 2023

Students, community members marked the anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks.

For many members of the Washington and Lee community, October 7, 2023 is a day that will never be forgotten. One year later, students held a memorial vigil to mourn, come together as a community, and remember the lives lost in last year’s attacks against Israel.

The service began on the Colonnade, with candles handed to attendees. Jews, non-Jews, students, VMI Keydets, and professors gathered in a circle outside Washington Hall.

Gabe Miller, ‘25, president of Washington and Lee Hillel, started by describing the preceding week as a whirlwind for the school’s Jewish community. He said that while there were happy festivities and holidays, for many Jews, sadness remains as the war in Gaza rages on and hostages are still unaccounted for.

“Every Jewish person remembers where they were on October 7,” he said. “Many of our friends’ families weren’t lucky.”

“We all remember immense sorrow and suffering, immense antisemitism. Many of us have been estranged from our close friends because of our faith and people,” Miller said.

But in the midst of suffering, Miller emphasized the comfort of unity and fellowship among friends, classmates, and community members: “We are here to come together as a community to support each other. We are here as one.”

“Just know that Hillel is here for you always.”

Jewish prayers were recited, and all audience members — Jewish students, non-Jewish students, law students, and faculty — were thanked.

Professor Art Goldsmith then shared a few words to highlight his pride in being Jewish and acknowledge the victims of the Nova music festival and the hardest-hit Kibbutz near the Gaza strip, Kibbutz Be’eri.

“When death occurs, Jewish people say their memory should be a blessing,” he said. “The sentiment keeps their admirable legacy living in our hearts and minds.”

Next, a mother of one of the hostages sang. After singing, she explained how she remained washed in grief and sadness from a tragedy of death, trapped hostages, and loss to society. However, she felt grief could be channeled into acts of faith and kindness.

“Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” (“Jerusalem of Gold”), a song about how the Jewish diaspora for thousands of years yearned to return to Jerusalem in peace, was sung while attendees stood in remembrance of the hostages, friends, family, and people who haven’t returned home.

“We stand together against hate and pain,” Miller stated.

After the song, the attendees walked as a group down to Lee Chapel, NHL, where they placed their candles in the shape of a Star of David. The service continued at Hillel House.

At Hillel, students sang and listened to prayers. Two speakers who were in Israel on the day of the attacks, Noa Barak and Simone Schwartz, discussed their personal experiences. They shared how they woke up to the sounds of missiles, with people being “killed in our streets, murdered in our homes.”

“Everybody was killed. Jews, Israelis, Non-Israelis — Hamas had no mercy.”

They also reflected on the memory of loved ones and their inspiring perspectives such as cherishing the endless opportunities in life and how one should take advantage of the present.

Hope was “not yet lost.” They both encouraged the audience to “share a sliver of joy when you can.”

The service ended with all attendees singing “Hatikvah,” the national anthem of Israel.

The Spectator spoke with Gabe Miller, president of W&L Hillel, after the event.

Miller described how the W&L community was impacted by last year’s attacks, explaining that many Jewish students and faculty have connections to and family in Israel, while also being affected by the nationwide rise of antisemitism.

Miller said that antisemitism is present on campus, manifesting in exclusion from friend groups and discomfort expressing religious views in relevant classroom discussions.

“It is not violent antisemitism, which I am incredibly grateful for, and it is incredibly sporadic on campus,” he said. “Antisemitism is, however, increasing here. The amount of students who have told me about antisemitic encounters around campus has only been rising since October 7th.”

“Along with the incredible support the Jewish community already receives from campus administration, this campus community must stand in defense of civil and thoughtful discourse and combat antisemitism,” he said.