Marking October 7th

Join us October 7, 2026 to Unite, Reflect, and Aspire.

Overview

October 7th, 2023 was a day of profound loss, as Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel, taking lives, tearing families apart, and shaking communities worldwide. Our sorrow remains, but so does our unbreakable spirit.

Each year, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, our partners, and our allies come together, as one united community, to mark this dark day.

Details

What is the October 7th program about?

The October 7th program is a community gathering to remember and honor the lives impacted by the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. It creates space for collective mourning, reflection, and resilience, while strengthening connection and solidarity within the Jewish community and its allies. The program also affirms the enduring strength of the Jewish people and the importance of standing together in the face of tragedy and ongoing conflict.

Who should attend?

This program is open to community members who wish to remember October 7, support one another, and stand in solidarity with Israel and the global Jewish community. It is especially meaningful for those seeking connection, reflection, and a shared space to process the lasting impact of that day.

What should I expect?

Participants can expect a thoughtful and meaningful experience that includes opportunities for remembrance, personal reflection, and community connection. The program may include music, poetry, storytelling, text study, and meditation, followed by a collective gathering to share reflections and affirm resilience. The atmosphere is respectful, supportive, and centered on healing, unity, and hope.

Two panelists seated in armchairs on a stage hold microphones and smile as they reach across to hold hands.

October 7th, 2026

As One, Commemorating Three Years Since October 7th

Join us as we unite as one in the Community Hall. Through art, media, movement, sacred text, conversation, and powerful Israeli stories of transformation, choose your preferred way to reflect. Journey from grief toward growth, and find strength in one another as we aspire to a better future for the Jewish people: in Israel, Milwaukee, and around the world.

Event Details:
Wednesday, October 7
7 – 8:30 PM

Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
Daniel M. Soref Community Hall
6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay

Co-Chairs: Laurel & Brian Bear

RSVP

Marking October 7th

Workshop Descriptions

Please note: Attendees will select their workshop following the community program/welcome ceremony.

Remembering October 7th Through Art

With Lauren Blumenthal
Location: BBYO Office

Create a kalaniyah (red anemone), Israel’s national flower, using the Japanese art of Kinusaiga. These vibrant blossoms, which blanket the Gaza border region each winter, have become symbols of both loss and resilience since October 7. Kinusaiga is a traditional Japanese art form that combines fabric scraps and carved foam boards to create textured, mosaic-like pictures without any sewing. At the end you can keep your artwork or send it to our partnership regions in Israel with the Milwaukee mission in December.

A Path Forward: Stories of Resilience, Recovery, and Strength

With Eileen Graves and Tzipi Altman-Shafer
Location: Glazer Board Room

This workshop centers on stories of recovery and resilience in Israel, helping participants understand how communities are responding to deep trauma with healing, practical support, and renewed purpose. The session encourages participants not only to learn, but also to share these stories with others.

Our Stories, Our Questions: Processing Life After October 7th

With Dr. Jeffrey Taxman
Location: Yeladim Room – M150

Since October 7th, many American Jews have experienced a wide range of emotions, including grief, fear, anger, confusion, loneliness, resilience, and solidarity. This facilitated conversation offers a supportive and respectful space to share personal experiences, ask difficult questions, process loss and uncertainty, and reflect on encounters with antisemitism. Through listening and dialogue, participants will have the opportunity to connect with others, honor their experiences, and explore what it means to navigate Jewish life in this moment.

The Pain That Remains, The Hope We Build: A Community Journey of Connection & Memory

With Shachar Gabai
Location: Community Hall

How do we carry grief and still build hope? Join us for “The Pain That Remains, The Hope We Build” – an interactive journey through powerful Israeli stories, voice testimonies, and Immersive Listening Experiences. Discover the voices, share your own, and leave your mark on our Community Response Wall.

Yoga for Resilience, in Memory of Carmel Gat

With Matt Weyenberg
Location: Gan Ami Atrium

Join us for Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation rooted in yogic tradition that promotes deep rest, stress relief, and healing while resting comfortably. We do this in memory of Carmel Gat, an occupational therapist, devoted mental health professional, and a radiant, compassionate presence. She was the embodiment of a devoted yoga teacher, living the practice in both spirit and action. She was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri and held hostage for 328 days before she was murdered in captivity. While in captivity, she led yoga and meditation practices that helped others endure their suffering – offering strength, stability, and hope in unimaginable conditions.

Lessons from Those We Have Lost

With Rabbi Wes Kalmar
Location: Reading Room

In the face of profound loss, we will turn to the voices of IDF soldiers who fell on October 7th and in the years that followed. Through their words, writings, and personal legacies, we will discover lessons of resilience, meaning, sacrifice, and hope. By pairing their stories with timeless Torah wisdom, we will explore how their lives continue to guide and challenge us today.