By Arielle Mitropoulos, News Anchor/Reporter for WMUR
CONCORD, N.H. —
On the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack, members of the community came together in Concord for a vigil at the State House to honor the lives of the victims who were killed and to pray for the safe return of those still held hostage.
"This is not a pro-Israel rally. We have people with different views. It's just to show we care, we're here," said organizer Jeremy Berger, a board member at the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire.
The memories of the 1,200 people who were killed in the attacks were remembered as true blessings. Their names were written on posters and cards and spoken aloud so that they would not be forgotten.
Dr. Sharon Sernik, of Merrimack, was in Israel visiting her family at the time of the attacks.
"It was just surreal, and we didn't know yet the extent of the brutality. We had no idea. It's hard to even wrap your brain around what they did," Sernik said.
Many attendees said that they are worried about antisemitism in the community, but they added that they are determined to help stop that and to ensure that those lost are never forgotten.
"I think the most important part of all of this is community and just being there for each other on this horrible, horrible anniversary," said Maryellen Rothenberg of Bedford.
