It’s been just more than a year since the world witnessed a horrifying act of terror unfold in real time as Hamas launched a brutal invasion of Israel. More than 1,000 innocent people were murdered in a series of coordinated attacks that marked one of the darkest days in modern history and the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. From the youngest babies to elderly grandparents, Israelis were subjected to unspeakable cruelty—tortured, raped, and murdered. More than 200 hostages were dragged into Gaza, where many still remain. The pain and trauma of that day echo not only in Israel but across the world, including right here in Rockland County.
In the past year, I’ve met survivors of the Oct. 7 attacks and spoken with families of those kidnapped by Hamas. The pain they’ve endured is unimaginable. Yet, their resilience — the same resilience that has carried the Jewish people through centuries of persecution, pogroms, and genocide — remains unshaken. Despite everything, the Jewish people continue to hold fast to faith, traditions, and culture, standing firm in the face of........