Leeds Leads Against Antisemitism (LLAA) recently held the memorial for the October 7th massacre.
On a sunny October day, over 800 people attended – people of all religions and none – to stand hand in hand remembering the Nova music festival massacre in 2023.
The news that the remaining hostages were to be released imminently was welcomed by everyone present and celebrated at the end of the event with music and dancing.
Speakers included Mark Adlestone from the Manchester Jewish community who spoke about the terror attack on Yom Kippur, and how Manchester and Leeds stand as one. Haya Langerman from The Hostages Forum described the events of October 7th and the work her organisation does. Also speaking were Gill Proctor and Des Starritt representing Christians United for Israel and a prayer and poems were read out by LLAA volunteers.
Sadly, Catherine Perez from We Believe in Israel was meant to join the vigil but endured a nasty incident in London and had to cancel. LLAA Co-Chair, Debbie Addlestone, read Catherine’s speech in her absence.
The names of all the remaining hostages were read out before a two-minute silence, impeccably preserved by all. Rabbi Alby Chait then blew the shofar with the sound echoing around Millenium Square.
Debbie Addlestone said: “We are overwhelmed with the support of the community and our allies. The vigil was simultaneously emotional, heartbreaking, and uplifting. We are very grateful to all of our speakers and singers and would like to wish Catherine Perez a speedy recovery from her awful experience at Kings Cross, when she was assaulted by a pro-Palestinian protester as she tried to catch her train to Leeds.”
The event ended with Rabbi Chait reading a prayer followed by the national anthems, before 20 minutes of Israeli dancing for the release of the hostages left everyone in good spirits.
