OCTOBER 17 • 2024 | 11
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rior of the Federation building on 
Telegraph Road. 
The vandalism was “a hateful 
attempt to instill fear and disrupt 
our sense of safety and belonging,” 
Torgow said. “
And it comes at a time 
when our hearts are already heavy 
as we commemorate the tragedy in 
Israel that began one year ago today.
“These acts were meant to shake 

us. They were meant to instill fear. 
“But let me be absolutely clear. We 
will not be cowered; we will not be 
intimidated. And we will never be 
dissuaded from living 
proud, strong, vibrant 
Jewish lives, no matter 
where we reside.
“The Jewish people 
have faced adversity 
before, and we have 
always come through 
stronger, more united and resilient. 
This moment will be no different.”
Torgow added, “No act of coward-
ice — no graffiti, no broken window 
— will ever make us question who we 
are or what we stand for. We will con-
tinue to gather, to celebrate, to pray 
and to pass on our traditions to our 
future generations with our heads held 
very high and our hearts full of hope.
” 

EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM 
Referring to the Israeli soldiers and 
civilians who lost their lives in the 
past year, Torgow said, “
All that 
remains of them is our hope and 
their memory — and it is that hope 
and memory which we have come 
here tonight to honor.
“In the face of this unimaginable 
horror, the people of Israel did what 

they have always done — they stood 
tall. They refused to be broken or 
divided or intimidated. 
“From the first moments of the 
attack, we saw acts of extraordinary 
heroism. Soldiers, first responders 
and ordinary citizens alike rushed to 
defend their homes, their families, 
and their country. Neighbors opened 
their doors to strangers, providing 

shelter and comfort to those in need. 
Communities banded together, 
turning synagogues, schools and 
community centers into sanctuaries 
of support and strength. 
“In the wake of one of the great-
est acts of evil, came gestures of the 
most extraordinary humanity and 
goodness,” Torgow said. 
“Jews and friends of Israel every-
where have come together at rallies 
and vigils, in synagogues and pub-
lic squares, raising our voices to 
demand justice and to call for the 
safe return of those who remain cap-
tive in Gaza. 
“Collectively, Jewish communities 
across North America have raised 
nearly a billion dollars to aid the 
people of Israel in their long recov-
ery. We as a people have become 
more united, more educated, more 
faithful and more determined.
“Today, as we remember the atroc-
ities of Oct. 7, our hearts are filled 
with sorrow but not despair,” Torgow 
said. “It is clear that despair is not an 
option for us. 

For a full transcript of Federation President 

Torgow’s address, please see page 4. 

For the complete remarks of Shaarey Zedek 

Rabbi Starr, please see page 6.

Gary 
Torgow

“I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN FOR ONE 

SECOND THAT IN THESE GAZA TUNNELS 
THERE ARE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN 
WHO STILL MAY HAVE THE CHANCE TO 
HUG THEIR PARENTS ONE DAY AGAIN.”

— IDF SOLDIER ALON LACHMAN

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