Hundreds gather in Chicago's north suburbs to remember Oct. 7 attack on Israel
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) -- Hundreds of people gathered in north suburban Highland Park Sunday night to pause and remember on the eve of the one-year commemoration of the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas.
More than 1,200 people were killed in the massacre on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 100 hostages are believed to remain captive in Gaza.
At the event at Port Clinton Square in Highland Park, clergy members led memorial prayers and event organizers and community leaders made remarks. Participants also walked together to a temporary memorial near St. Johns and Central avenues.
The event was organized by a group of moms who call themselves Shamash—which is the name of the extra candle used to light the other candles on a Chanukah menorah.
"Shamash" means "helper" or "servant" in Hebrew, which is what members say they want to be for the community in light of the attack.
Vigils were also held Sunday night in London and Paris, and at the Nova Festival site where a Hamas attack occurred—with some of the families of victims attending.
Meanwhile, protesters in cities including Detroit rallied Sunday against the subsequent war in the Middle East and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said Israeli attacks over the past year have killed more than 41,000 people in Gaza.
Back in Chicago Sunday night, people of all faiths came together at the landmark Ramova Theatre I Bridgeport to help raise money for humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Funds went to relief supplies, and programs that foster unity and understanding through art and music.