On October 7, 2026, the reflective piece “Reflections on Remembrance” was published, calling readers to mourn the losses of the Oct. 7 attacks while also recalling moments of hope that restore faith in humanity’s promise.
The article arrives at a time when Jewish communities worldwide are reporting both heightened grief and remarkable resilience, a dynamic that resonates with Christian readers who value remembrance and renewal. By linking the day of mourning with the biblical promise of light, the piece offers a spiritual framework for processing trauma.
Recent surveys cited in a related report show a surge in Jewish communal engagement since the attacks. In the United States, 31 percent of Jewish adults reported increased involvement with Judaism or Jewish institutions, while in the United Kingdom, identification as Zionist rose from 59 percent in late 2022 to 66 percent in June 2025. At the same time, concerns about antisemitism grew sharply, with 50 percent describing it as a “very big problem” in the UK by mid‑2025.
Despite these challenges, the article highlights concrete examples of hope. It recounts the Bedouin bus driver who rescued more than 30 survivors, IDF reservists who rushed into danger, and everyday professionals—social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists—who are helping survivors rebuild their lives. Such stories illustrate the “light” that persists amid darkness.
The author, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, proposes a new day of mourning called Shivah b’October, placed just before Shabbat Bereishit. He underscores the opening verse of Genesis—“Let there be light”—as a reminder that God created light to counter darkness, a metaphor that encourages believers to seek healing while confronting ongoing pain.
As the commemoration approaches, faith communities are invited to give thanks for the light that remains and to act with strength and courage to push back against the darkness. The article closes with a prayerful affirmation, “Yehi or—let there be light,” urging readers to carry that promise forward.