Jewish communities around the world commemorated the second anniversary of the October 7 Massacre ahead of the date, which fell on the holiday of Sukkot.
Events were held across France on Sunday, according to Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) President Yonathan Arfi.
In Paris, CRIF held a demonstration with the families of hostages, and in the evening, there was a tribute to the victims of the Hamas-led pogrom in southern Israel. Arfi said that programming was held in coordination with the Interior Ministry and police would be present. While tensions were high after Thursday's Manchester synagogue terrorist attack, Jewish events and culture had to continue.
"We don't want fear to win," said Arfi.
The CRIF head explained that October 7 was important to remember not just for the attacks on Israel, but also for the impact it had on French Jews and the Diaspora more broadly.
Diaspora Jews plan events to mark two years since October 7
"We have two sides of the October 7 attacks, one side in Israel, and the other for the Diaspora," said Arfi.
The Diaspora has faced a wave of antisemitism since late 2023, with Jewish sites and persons subject to a variety of attacks.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin also explained ahead of memorial events how the Australian community had been "fundamentally and permanently changed by the events of the last two years."
"Our community has suffered the sharpest decline in physical security of any Jewish community in the world. We are the only Jewish community to have our synagogues, businesses, and homes targeted by the murderous Iranian regime and organised crime," said Ryvchin. "There is a strong belief in the community that the federal government views the battle against antisemitism as a nuisance and privately blames Israel for creating this thankless and fraught political burden. There is a perception also that the government does not understand the connection between how it treats Israel and how Australians treat Jews. It's a totally wayward decision to recognise Palestine without at least conditioning this on Hamas's surrender and release of the hostages feels like a monumental betrayal. This has made this past year even more turbulent than the first."
Ryvchin detailed how debate had deteriorated into rival street rallies, death threats had become a norm, and public figures were joining a chorus to accuse Zionist Jews and Israelis of genocide and "baby-killing."
"This creates a sense of siege, and it triggered a familiar survival response in our community, which is to turn inward to what is familiar and safe, which is why Jewish identification, pride, and participation have never been higher in this country," said Ryvchin.
Next Sunday, the Zionist Council of New South Wales is set to hold an anniversary event with the brother of Australian citizen and massacre victim Galit Carbone to be the keynote speaker. In Victoria the following Sunday will see another tribute to the victims of the massacre, hosted by the Zionist Council of Victoria.
"The community knows many Australians are solidly with us. We truly feel we are fighting not only for our place in society but for whether this country will continue to be defined by the values our community lives by – respect for the law, personal responsibility, and contribution to society," said Ryvchin. "Predictions of mass emigration haven’t come to pass. The existence of Israel means that we will always have somewhere to go, but also that we have no reason to leave because Israel gives us the courage to stand and fight."
With a similar defiant tone in their advertisements, rallies were held on Sunday in the United Kingdom. Dozens of Jewish groups attended a commemorative event at London's Trafalgar Square. Another event was held in Manchester, whose community was still reeling from the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two congregants.
Across the Atlantic, memorial events were scheduled in the United States. Temple Ahavat Shalom and Temple Judea planned a commemoration for Tuesday, during the first day of Sukkot. The UJA-Federation of New York held an event on Sunday evening with hostage families and other victims.
"It’s nearly impossible to believe we’re about to mark two years since October 7 forever changed Israel and reshaped the story of the Jewish people," the federation said on its website. "Together, we’ll demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the people of Israel and a shared vision of a strong and vibrant future that is free from terror."
A mile-long memorial is set to be erected near Columbia University on Monday night by DiploAct, Let’s Do Something, Students Supporting Israel. The exhibit will feature 1,200 empty chairs to represent the victims of the massacre. On the chairs will be placed photographs, candles, and flowers.
"“The October 7 massacre was not just a terror attack — it was a turning point in the history of the Jewish people," said DiploAct CEO Ofir Ohayon. "Since that dark Saturday, we have fought not only for Israel’s security, but for the truth itself. Two years later, as antisemitism surges on campuses and in communities around the world, we see how hatred of Jews and the delegitimization of Israel have crept into academic, media, and cultural institutions — places meant to stand for freedom and moral clarity."
Conscious of the tradition that mourning on the festival of Sukkot is forbidden, Chabad houses and local Jewish activists are holding a celebration of Jewish life to "respond with joy" instead of grief. 10,000 NYC Jews are expected to join in a dance for those who "can no longer dance."
The American Jewish Committee said on X that while much of the world had moved on from the day, they had not.
"We will never forget what was done, and we will make sure no one else forgets either," AJC said on Saturday.
In Canada, the UJA Federation of Toronto held an event on Sunday. The memorial featured a panel, testimonials, and music to engender remembrance of the tragedy.
"October 7, 2023, was a day that forever changed the Jewish people. Life has not been the same since—yet in the face of devastating loss and hardship, we stand together," read the federation website. "Together, we will honour the innocent lives lost, remember those still held in captivity, and acknowledge the enduring impact of the day."
In South Africa, the South African Zionist Federation is holding a musical tribute to October 7 victims. Former hostage Agam Berger is set to give a violin performance at the October 16 Johannesburg event.
“Two years later, 48 innocent hostages are still held captive in Gaza. Their absence is an open wound. A daily reminder that justice remains incomplete. These men, women, and children have been denied their freedom, their dignity, and the embrace of their loved ones for far too long. We stand with their families, who live every moment in anguish, and we demand, with unwavering conviction, that the world do more to bring them home," SAZF national chairman Craig Pantanowitz said in a statement. "As the South African Zionist Federation, we reaffirm our solidarity with Israel and with our global Jewish family. We will continue to raise our voices, to educate, to advocate, and to remind our broader society that this is not a political question. It is a moral one. No cause, no ideology, no grievance can ever justify the kidnapping and torment of innocents. To stand idly by in the face of such injustice is to allow humanity itself to be diminished."
Other communities, such as in Argentina, held early commemorations. On September 30 Argentinian Jews gathered in Centenario Park to demand the release of the 48 people still held captive in Gaza, including 4 Argentine nationals.