Local Jewish community commemorates October 7
More than a hundred members of the Jewish community gathered at Barrie City Hall to commemorate the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas abducted more than 200 Israeli civilians and today's ongoing war in the Middle East commenced.
Those in attendance honoured the hostages and those who lost their lives, as local Israelis expressed their continued concern for their family members back home who are affected by the conflict.
"My whole family is in Israel. My siblings, nephews and nieces," said a member of Am Shalom Congregation. "I feel the whole year was a year of mourning, and today was a very difficult day."
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Others felt the warmth of showing solidarity as a community.
"It was just a feeling of strength to be with others," said Michaele-Sue Goldblatt, secretary of Am Shalom Congregation. "Not only with other Jewish people but even more importantly with other members of the community here in Barrie."
The memorial was also attended by Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall and representatives of MP Doug Shipley, MP John Brassard and MPP Andrea Khanjin.
"I remember in the days after the attack, I had members of the community coming in who've lost their loved ones," said Nuttall. "When you think back to what happened a year ago, there's a lot of hurt. A lot of pain."
Over in Barrie's south end, there was a memorial at Mapleview Community Church to show support for the Jewish Community.
"We have as an organization sent a lot of humanitarian aid and assistance right into Israel," said Jeff Futers, executive director of First Century Foundations and a speaker at the memorial. "Whenever we have the opportunity to show the local community support, we do that as well."
Palestinian Support
Leading up to Monday's commemorations, around 50 Palestinian supporters held a vigil in front of Barrie City Hall Sunday evening to mourn the lives lost in Gaza and to call for a ceasefire.
"Some of us know folks in Palestine, some of us have family in Palestine. Some of us are just concerned human beings," said Celeste Price, one of the vigil organizers.
Both sides expressed their wishes for peace and ending the ongoing war.
"Everybody wants peace," said Jeff Wellman, president of Am Shalom Congregation, back at Monday's City Hall commemoration. "And I would say, for those people who want a ceasefire, we've had ceasefires. But what we should be working for is a lasting and just peace."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'There is no electricity': Canadian travellers in Cuba urge caution in hurricane's wake
Cuba's power grid was knocked out by Hurricane Rafael, which ripped across the country as a Category 3 storm. In western Cuba, it toppled buildings and pushed 50,000 people to find shelter elsewhere. Cubans were already enduring rolling blackouts due to energy shortages.
Sparks fly as MPs question minister on pension implications of proposed election date change
Sparks flew at a parliamentary committee Thursday as MPs questioned Canada's democratic institutions minister about a widely opposed provision in electoral reform legislation that seeks to delay the next fixed election date by one week.
Three charged in One Direction singer Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in relation to One Direction singer Liam Payne's death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine authorities said on Thursday.
RCMP already 'on high alert' for potential wave of migrants after Trump election
Canada's federal police force has been preparing for months on a contingency plan for a potential massive influx of migrants across the border following Trump's promise of 'mass deportations' of millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
'There was no stopping this baby from coming': Woman gives birth while aboard Newfoundland ferry
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
Volkswagen models recalled for airbag safety precaution
Recall notices have been issued for some Volkswagen models from 2006 to 2019 for airbag safety issues.
America votes: How celebrities are reacting to Trump's decisive victory
Celebrities from Hulk Hogan to Ariana Grande are sharing their reactions to the U.S. election, which will see Donald Trump return to the White House.
3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation
Canadian arrested in Florida for allegedly possessing child sex abuse content
A 25-year-old Canadian man was arrested in Florida last weekend after police say he was caught with child sex abuse content.