October 7th | 5PM
Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine | 1342 Congress Street, Portland ME
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently at max capacity for this event but if you would like to be added to the waitlist, please visit our website and/or send us your information and we'll make sure you're on the list.
Consider attending the event via one of our satellite locations. The closest ones to Portland are Beth Israel Congregation in Bath or Temple Beth El in Augusta. For a full list of partners, click here.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED: please let us know ASAP if one or more people in your party can't make it so we can release tickets to our fast-growing waitlist! If you are planning to bring children that require childcare, please email igilg@mainejewish.org to let us know how many children are coming and their ages.
One year after the attacks on October 7th, we find ourselves in a changed world. A "commemoration" to mark this horrific anniversary feels wholly inadequate, since trauma of that day is still ongoing. Hostages are still being held captive by Hamas, while the war claims innocent lives and the rancorous discourse in our country and our community grows ever more inflamed. How can we begin the healing process when the wounds are still being inflicted? How can we combat the sense of despair, isolation, and frustration?
Only as a community can we begin to heal and only under the banner of hope. In the words of the indominable and inspirational Rachel Goldberg Polin, "Hope Is Mandatory".
Event Details
01
Commemoration
To respectfully honor the memory of those affected by the October 7th attacks, acknowledging the continued suffering of hostages and the ongoing conflict.
02
Community
To foster a sense of unity and collective healing through shared reflection, prayer, and hope.
03
Inspiration
To inspire resilience and hope in the face of adversity, drawing from the experiences of survivors and the community.
04
Location
The main event will be hosted at the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine in Portland, with simultaneous in-person participation available at multiple partner locations across the state.
Program Details
October 7th | Doors Open at 5PM | Program Runs from 6:30-7:45PM
The event is free to attend, but advance registration is required for security purposes. Attendees must present ID for entry.
Kosher Israeli-Style Community Dinner (5:00 - 6:30 PM):
A communal meal will be served featuring dishes from "Shavuot of Longing," a cookbook created in honor of hostages and missing persons. This dinner will set the tone of connection and shared experience.
Main Program (6:30 - 7:45 PM):
Opening Remarks
Keynote Speech
Keren Borovsky Oren, a survivor from Kibbutz Re’im, will share her harrowing experiences and the hope she holds for the future, despite the ongoing conflict.
Testimonies & Reflections
Community members from across the state will offer poems, songs, and prayers, creating a tapestry of voices that reflect the collective grief, hope, and resilience of our community.
Candlelight Vigil
A solemn and symbolic moment of remembrance, with candles lit to honor the victims and to illuminate the path toward healing and peace.
Childcare Services: Childcare will be provided at the JCA from 6:30 to 8:00 PM for children ages 2-11, allowing parents and guardians to fully engage in the program.
Statewide Participation: Recognizing the importance of accessibility and inclusion, the event will be simultaneously hosted at partner locations throughout Maine. Each location will follow the same program format, ensuring a cohesive statewide experience.
Send Messages of Hope to Israeli Children
Pen Pal Program
Thousands of Israeli children were deeply affected by the devastating attacks on Israel on October 7th. Many remain displaced from their homes, living in temporary housing far from their kibbutzim. We encourage children from across the state to share messages of hope and support with these Israeli children, whose lives remain deeply affected by the ongoing war.
We encourage Maine children to write letters or create artwork that will be sent directly to the children of Kibbutz Beerot and Kibbutz Holit. There are 40 children in grades 1-6 from Kibbutz Beerot Yitzhak and 29 children in grades 1-8 from Kibbutz Holit who would love to hear from their peers here in Maine!
These messages can take any form, from short letters of encouragement to drawings or paintings meant to uplift their spirits—anything that can brighten their day.
Please send all letters and artwork to:
Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine
1342 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04102
Alternatively, you may email Mandy Levine at mandylevine21@gmail.com for her mailing address. Mandy, a JCA Board member, will be collecting and mailing all messages of hope directly to the kibbutzim in Israel.
Thank you for joining us in spreading kindness and support to the children of Israel during this challenging time.
Join Us
This event is free, but advance registration is required. We will be checking ID's at the door.
If you can't make it to Portland, you can still participate in this program at one of the following partner locations:
Beth Israel Congregation (Bath)
Beth Israel Congregation (Waterville)
Please click on the links above for more information about how to register for this program at any given location.
Keynote
Keren Borovsky Oren
Hello, my friends. I am Keren Borovsky Oren, 49 years old, from Kibbutz Re'im. I am the wife of Harel Oren, 54, and the mother of two boys and a girl: Peleg (22), Eilay (20), and Mia (15).
My husband, Harel, is the head of security for our kibbutz. I am a pastry chef and used to run a small bakery on the kibbutz, but I have not been working for a few years now due to health reasons.
Harel was born in Re'im, and I have been living here with him for 25 years now. It’s been our home for almost half of my life. Our children were born on the kibbutz, and we love it dearly—our neighbors, the rural countryside life. It’s like a small village of about 450 people. Living in the kibbutz is like living in paradise 90% of the time, though it used to turn into 10% hell when rockets from Gaza hit. That has been part of our routine for over 20 years.
On October 7th, everything changed, and it turned into 100% hell when Hamas terrorists invaded my kibbutz and our beautiful region. They violated our land and our people. Harel and his team of first responders—a team of 8—fought them back.
I am honored to share with you the story of how I survived 26 hours inside the safe room with my children, Peleg’s girlfriend, and our three dogs, as well as the story of the battle in Kibbutz Re'im.
