Hundreds of people gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday for the first memorial commemorating the lives lost in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
One year ago, Hamas infiltrated Southern Israel, killed 1,400 people, took over 100 hostages, and ultimately ignited the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
On Sunday night in Los Angeles, the Museum of Tolerance lit candles to represent the people killed that day and the hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza.
KTLA’s Rachel Menitoff visited different sites and memorials around the city to speak with those in attendance.
At the Simon Wiesenthal Center, people of all religions and backgrounds gathered for a night of remembrance, reflection, and reconciliation.
“Our main focus tonight is really to celebrate the strength of our community, to celebrate that no matter what is thrown towards us we will persevere,” said Jim Burke, the CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Artistry was displayed throughout the museum, telling the story of what happened one year ago through the eyes of survivors and first responders.
Tomer Peretz, one of the display creators, told KTLA he saw the destruction first-hand.
“On October 7th, I was in Israel,” said Peretz. “I was volunteering to pick up dead bodies from the massacre for the entire week and when I got back to LA, the only thing I could create about was with other people who experienced a very similar experience as me.”
A candle-lighting ceremony held at 8:29 p.m. coincided with the exact moment Hamas launched its first rockets into the Jewish State.
Members of the Los Angeles Jewish community also commemorated the occasion in conjunction with their Israeli counterparts abroad.
At the same time, Israeli-Americans and Jews alike came together outside on Pico Boulevard in a display of optimism and solidarity.
“What brings me here is there is still over 100 hostages that were stolen and kidnapped from Israel into Gaza on October 7, and that’s what I’m here for, trying to help get back these hostages,” said attendee Tuvia Kramer.
There will be several other commemoration ceremonies on Monday at synagogues and cultural institutions to mark the anniversary of October 7.
