Campus Ministry held a vigil at noon on Monday, October 7, in front of the Egan Chapel, led by Fairfield’s Jewish Chaplain, Rabbi James Prosnit to “remember October 7, 2024, those still held hostage and those in Gaza,” as described in a flyer posted on social media.
Rabbi Prosnit opened the service by thanking those in attendance and recognized the Fairfield community’s ability to come together for prayer.
“It’s good to collectively pause and think about how life has changed, both in Israel, Gaza and the neighboring countries, and also how life has changed for many who are here in the United States, as we think about the events on campuses and elsewhere over the past year.”
Rabbi Prosnit then shared the Genesis story of Isaac, the patriarch of the Jewish people and Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, two enemies. He compared the story to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Two completely different forces, yet their mothers both weep for them.
Before lighting prayer candles, Rabbi Prosnit shared a few more words.
“On this October 7th, we gather a year after we witnessed unspeakable horror with eyes filled with tears; tears shed by hostage families, tears of those murdered that day and ongoing tears of the Israelis and Palestinians mourning loved ones.”
Prayers were read by Fairfield faculty and students, including a prayer for life and peace, a prayer for those who died by violence and a prayer remembering those who have died. Each prayer was followed by a song sung by Rabbi Evan Schultz, the Senior Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Bridgeport, CT.
“What a blessing it is to come together with some of our Jewish students, some of our Muslim students, some of our Christian students, the diverse faculty and staff of this university to pray for peace and to remember the victims of Oct. 7th.”
First-year student Eva Joering shared her thoughts after the vigil.
“I thought the vigil was really nice. I’m a freshman and it’s just so nice to see how big the community here is on campus.”
The vigil was concluded with the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi and closing words from Rabbi Prosnit.
October 7th marked the first anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, killing 1,200 civilians and taking 254 hostages from a music festival in 2023. The US Department of State believes that Hamas still has 101 hostages in Gaza, seven of them Americans. Around the country, vigils and protests were held to mourn those who were killed in the attacks and the ensuing war and to demand an end to the ongoing conflict.