Chabad of Pasadena to Hold Memorial Service on Anniversary of Hamas Attack

Chabad of Pasadena plans to host a memorial service Monday to mark the one-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The event seeks to honor the 1,200 lives lost and provide a space for community reflection and healing.

“This day of remembrance is not only about the pain we continue to feel, but also about elevating the souls of those we lost, transforming our grief into light, and sending that light into the world in their honor,” said Rabbi Chaim Hanoka of Chabad Pasadena.

The service will take place at Chabad of Pasadena, located at 1090 East Walnut Street. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and the creation of a community art mural. At 6:30 p.m., attendees will participate in a mitzvah pledge drive and prayers, followed by a memorial and candle-lighting ceremony at 7:00 p.m.

The event commemorates the second annual yahrzeit of the attack that occurred in the early morning hours on this date last year.

Hamas militants, along with at least five other armed Palestinian factions, launched a multi-pronged assault on southern Israel. The attack began with rocket fire from Gaza and escalated to a ground incursion that breached Israel’s security barrier. Militants targeted both military installations and civilian areas.

One of the deadliest incidents occurred at the Nova music festival near Re’im, where nearly 400 people were killed.

In total, approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives in the attack. Additionally, about 250 individuals were taken hostage, with around 100 still being held in Gaza a year later.

Rabbi Hanoka said community support is important during this difficult time.

“This evening is more than just a time to remember — it is a chance to connect, to heal and to honor the resilience of those who have suffered,” he said.

The memorial service will include prayers for the swift release of remaining hostages, the safety of soldiers on the front lines, and support for those displaced from their homes, Hanoka said.

Organizers have also expressed hope for the coming of Moshiach, a central figure in Jewish messianic tradition.

The event is being organized in collaboration with several Chabad Houses from the San Gabriel Valley area, including Chabad Student Center of Pasadena, Chabad South Pasadena, Chabad of Pasadena, Chabad Arcadia, and Pasadena Jewish Academy.

Organizers are providing on-site security and request that attendees RSVP through the Chabad Pasadena website to expedite the security process.

In addition to the October 7 event, Chabad Pasadena will hold a special Yizkor service on Shemini Atzeret (October 24), which marks the actual yahrzeit of those who perished. The congregation will also dedicate a new Torah cover in memory of the victims, to be used on Yom Kippur and throughout Sukkot.

The commemoration comes as the conflict continues to have far-reaching consequences. In response to the October 7 attack, Israel launched a massive military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. This has reportedly resulted in widespread destruction and displacement, with nearly 90% of Gaza’s population displaced and large areas devastated. International organizations have described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic.