Throughout the world, the nation, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Tidewater, events took place marking Oct. 7, 2023 –
recalling the horrors of that day, while praying for the safety and release of the 48 remaining hostages still in Gaza at the time.
In addition to the events, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a proclamation:
A Day of Re-membrance for the Victims of the October 7 Hamas Attack on Israel.
In part, it states:
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2023, a tragic and unprecedented act of violence was carried out by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering near Kibbutz Re’im, as well as throughout communities and kibbutzim in Israel; and
WHEREAS, innocent civilians were enjoying a beautiful day in their homes, observing the end of Sukkot, and attending a music festival, only to be brutally attacked, resulting in serious injuries, the horrific murder of 1,200 innocent lives, and the kidnapping of 251 hostages by Hamas terrorists; and
WHEREAS, among the hostages was Israeli American and former Richmonder Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a man who displayed immense courage in prioritizing the safety of his friends and others around him, despite the loss of his arm in a grenade explosion; and
WHEREAS, after eleven months in captivity and just days before the Israel Defense Forces could rescue him, Hersh Goldberg-Polin was murdered by Hamas in a tunnel in Gaza in August 2024, bringing profound sorrow to the Jewish community, his loved ones, and the countless individuals who prayed for his safe return; and
WHEREAS, the attack on October 7, 2023, and the rise in antisemitism, thereafter, are stark reminders of the ongoing threats and challenges faced by the people of Israel, and the need for continued vigilance and unity in the face of terrorism and hate; and
WHEREAS, Virginians vehemently condemn Hamas and its supporters for their reprehensible actions, which include kidnapping, brutal sexual violence, torture, and the murder of individuals like Hersh Goldberg-Polin; and
WHEREAS, Virginians remain steadfast against relentless evil and stand in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people, a people who remain a bright light in the darkest of times;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 7, 2025, as A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE OCTOBER 7TH HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call for the immediate release of all hostages.
Remembering October 7: A commemoration of loss, strength, and unity at Regent
By: Nofar Trem
Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Noga Yaniv and Yarden Lahan, and I had the honor of participating in Regent University’s October 7th Commemoration event on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The morning began with a moving flag planting ceremony in memory of the victims of the October 7 attacks. Each flag served as a solemn reminder of a life lost, and the enduring pain still felt by so many.
Following, the community gathered in Regent’s Library Auditorium for the official commemoration ceremony. The program featured remarks from Regent Dean and former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Mayor Bobby Dyer, former Governor Bob McDonnell, Director of Regent’s Israel Institute Dr. AJ Nolte, Pastor and CUFI Regional Director Todd Woolston, and Shye Klein, an October 7 survivor whose story resonated with everyone in attendance.
Speakers reflected on the tragic events of that day, the alarming rise in antisemitism that followed, and the critical bond between Jews and Christians in standing together to uphold shared values and defend freedom. Throughout the event, the warmth and hospitality of the Regent community were truly touching.
It was a powerful morning of remembrance and unity, underscoring the deep friendship and steadfast support the Tidewater Christian community continues to show for Israel and for the local Jewish community. Their compassion and solidarity remind that even in times of pain, shared values and faith can bring people together in strength and purpose.
Virginia Tech commemorates October 7
By: Amanda Herring
Hillel students at Virginia Tech, along with the university’s Israel Fellow, Jules Narinski, created a visual memorial on the campus’ Drillfield to mark October 7. On the field, 48 yellow balloons and photographs representing the hostages still held in Gaza (at the time), were placed. Signs around the Drillfield instructed students about the massacre and allowed a space for students to reflect and mourn. The VT Police Department monitored the display throughout the day.
Simultaneously, Hillel was open with clergy and staff available to light memorial candles, sit with students, and offer comfort with cookies and hot tea.
Amanda Herring is the executive director at Hillel at Virginia Tech.
UVA hosts vigil for October 7
By: Annie Weinberg
Hillel at the University of Virginia co-
sponsored an event with Wahoos for Israel to commemorate October 7. Like the organizations have done over the last two years, the vigil was held on the Grounds. Orr Grosman, director of Israel Engagement & Global Jewish Experience, and Hillel’s Israel Education Interns, also created an installation on the Grounds during the day.
Annie Weinberg is executive director of the Brody Jewish Center, Hillel at the University of Virginia.
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews united 1,200+ churches to plant more than 1 million Israeli flags to Commemorate October 7 attacks and demonstrate support for Israel and the Jewish People
As the world prepared to mark the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) announced that more than 1,200 churches, universities, and synagogues, and nearly 1 million congregants from all 50 states planned to plant more than 1 million flags and stand in solidarity with Israel to raise a message of hope as part of its second annual Flags of Fellowship (FOF) campaign.
The movement, which engaged 220 organizations and more than 90,000 people in prayer during its inaugural campaign last year, aims to unite communities of faith across North America and unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people as antisemitism continues to increase globally.
“Flags of Fellowship began as a way to honor the innocent lives lost on that horrific day, and to bring hope and light amidst unimaginable darkness,” says Yael Eckstein, president and Global CEO of The Fellowship. “And at a time when we see others burning Israeli flags, to have 1,200 churches and synagogues plant over 1 million Israeli flags is a bold, beautiful reminder that the Christian community—the silenced majority—continues to stand with Israel and the Jewish people.”
October 2-8, each participating church, synagogue, and university displayed a field of 1,200 Israeli flags—each representing a life lost on October 7, 2023—as part of Flags of Fellowship services in remembrance of the attacks.
Leading evangelical churches from around the country participated in the event, including World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Awaken Church, with 20,000 congregants across eight campuses in California; Hope Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Cristo Vive in Miami, Florida; Freedom Life Church in Atglen, Pennsylvania, and more.
Regent University in Virginia Beach hosted a campus-wide event, extending the campaign into the academic community. (See article on page 9.)
To date, The Fellowship has provided more than $250 million in emergency humanitarian aid to those impacted by the October 7 attacks and the war. Flags of Fellowship equips believers across the nation to continue to support Israel, encouraging participants to pray and raise awareness in their local communities.
To learn more about The Fellowship’s work, visit www.ifcj.org.
October 7 Revisited
Prophet Habakkak’s haunting Biblical
Words come true on a sacred turned scarred
Day robbed of its joys,
“For a stone shall cry out
From the wall.”
Once loving homes where the
Divine forged an abode turned
Into blackened stones soaked from
Hatred – filled wells of blood and fire,
With walls of witness wailing in silence
Of strewn bodies, young and old bonded
In death as in life, for the land of ubiquitous
Memorials again and again and again,
Till when?
Of snuffed dreams in a hunting field
Where dancing – davening flowers held
Sway till halted singing from deep within
Surging souls yearning to bond across
Man – made borders – barriers to be
Breached for war or peace,
To yet prevail with heightened cadence
Of Shalom’s invisible, ever – surviving promise!
Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is the founder of Temple Lev Tikvah and Honorary Senior Rabbi Scholar at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church, both in Virginia Beach.