24 | SEPTEMBER 12 • 2024 
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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.

