In commemoration of the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, de Toledo High School held a student assembly.
On Oct. 7, 2023, the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel, murdering over 1,000 civilians and taking 250 as hostages into the Gaza strip. In retaliation, Israel launched an invasion into Gaza, which has led to an estimated 41,000 Palestinian casualties. 365 days later, with the Israel-Hamas war ongoing, 101 hostages still in Gaza, increases in anti-semitism in America following the invasion, and an escalating war with Israel and Hezbollah, de Toledo held a commemorative assembly. The assembly was not merely about remembering Oct. 7, but also hoping for an end to the tragedies and conflicts that resulted from it.
At approximately 10:20 a.m., students at de Toledo began to enter the school’s gymnasium. Upon walking through the doors, they received yellow ribbons and a plastic candle. The ribbons would be placed on a portable fence decorated with roses.
Melancholy Israeli music played along with a video commemorating the hostages and the attacks on Oct. 7. After everyone had entered the gym and sat down, a handful of students began speaking about the events of Oct. 7 and their personal feelings and experiences in the year following.
The student speeches were followed with a few words by dTHS Head of School Mark Shpall. “It is a day to reflect,” Shpall said. “Let us be proud of the strength of our Jewish homeland.”
Instrumental Music Director Jared Stein sang a song quoting Psalm 23: “Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm, for you are with me.”
The school said the Mourner’s Kaddish. Then, students from Israel, visiting the school for an exchange program, spoke.
After the speeches, Stein asked the people in the assembly who had lost someone close to them on Oct. 7 to stand up and raise their plastic candles. A few people stood.
Stein then asked for those who knew someone who had lost a loved one from Oct. 7 to stand. Most of the assembly stood up.
Finally, Stein invited everyone to stand up in solidarity with Israel. With everyone standing, senior Abby W. sang “Acheinu,” a prayer for the release of captives, while Stein played guitar.
After a final series of speeches, the school stood for a performance of Hatikvah sung by junior Goldie M. and accompanied by sophomore Aidan R. on the piano.
To end the assembly, a video of a concert performed by 1,000 Israeli musicians, a tribute to the hostages called “The Homeland Concert” played while students exited the gym.
