24 | SEPTEMBER 12 • 2024
J
N
A
bout 100 members of the Jewish
community gathered for an impromptu
vigil outside the Royal Oak Library on
the evening of Sept. 4 for the six hostages who
were found executed in Gaza after more than 330
days in captivity. Their names were Ori Danino,
25; Carmel Gat, 40; Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23;
Alexander Lobanov, 32; Almog Sarusi, 27; and
Eden Yerushalmi, 24.
A complete grassroots effort, the event was
organized by three local young adults who
believed it was important to honor the six in
a public space and exercise First Amendment
rights of gathering. The vigil opened with the
Pledge of Allegiance and closed with the singing
of Hatikvah. In between, there were tear-felt
testimonies to the dead, prayers and the recitation
of the mourner’s Kaddish.
Participants held up posters of those who
were killed and read short excerpts of the details
of their lives before lighting a yahrzeit candle.
Attendees gathered with other posters, wearing
“Bring them Home” shirts in English and Hebrew.
As the sun set, it seemed fitting that on the
other side of Centennial Square, there was
an evening yoga class. After all, Gat was an
occupational therapist and a yoga teacher and, in
captivity, helped the children hostages cope for
the 55 days they were hostage by teaching them
yoga.
Avi Mendelson, 28, of Royal Oak, said he was
inspired to hold a public vigil by the example of
Columbia University business professor turned
Jewish activist Shai Davidai.
“Davidai has been encouraging people all over
the country to specifically have a vigil outside
and not in a synagogue or a Jewish building for
everyone to see,” Mendleson said. “We wanted to
come, breathe and be in pain, to create a space to
be together during this devastating time.”
Mendelson’s longtime friend, Eli Sherizen, 29,
echoed his friend’s thoughts.
“Davidai’s call to action to individuals like
us was to create a memorial service in public,”
Sherizen said. “It is very important for us as
diaspora Jews to be outside in public spaces
and show that we are not afraid. We are here to
exercise our First Amendment right to assemble
for what we believe in.”
Jackie Snider, 32, of Oak Park said when she
was asked by Mendelson and Sherizen to help
coordinate the event, she quickly said yes.
“This was so important to me,” Snider said.
“When we realized that no one else and no other
Impromptu vigil in Royal Oak
brings people together to
remember the slain hostages.
Mourning
Together
STACY GITTLEMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY YEVGENIYA GAZMAN
‘Light Unto
Nations’
Rabbi Moishie Glitsenstein of
Chabad of Royal Oak blew the
shofar to mark the beginning
of the Jewish month of Elul.
Attendees listen
to the heartfelt
testimony.