Hundreds of Jewish New Yorkers gathered in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza Monday afternoon on Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement, to remember the lives lost in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. 

Organized by progressive groups Jews For Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) and Rabbis for Ceasefire, the Yizkor Ritual of Remembrance is the third annual event of its kind held in the location since the Oct. 7 terror attack in Israel and the subsequent war escalations between Israel and Palestine.

The groups set up a stage in the shadow of the gigantic archway, where they delivered speeches and sang throughout the proceedings.

Speakers delivered their remarks from a lectern draped with the words, written in English and Hebrew, “For the sin of genocide, we atone,” using a term common in remarks among opponents of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which had been started in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel. Supporters of Israel and members of the Jewish community have refuted the charge, and said that the use of “genocide” in describing the war has inflamed antisemitism locally and around the world. 

Attendees donned white clothing and held memorial cards depicting the names of those who have perished in the ongoing battle in the Middle East. Dozens of elected officials and notable figures also joined the rally, including former New York City Comptroller (and Democratic Congressional nominee) Brad Lander, Mahmoud Khalil — who has been the subject of ICE detention — Brooklyn state Sen. Julia Salazar, and more.

The groups set up a stage in the shadow of the gigantic archway and held speeches and sung songs throughout the proceedings.Photo by Dean Moses Mahmoud Khalil.Photo by Dean Moses he Yizkor Ritual of Remembrance is the third annual event of its kind. Photo by Dean Moses

Khalil, who became the target of the Trump administration following his role in pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University, said he brought a stone to remember the loss of life.

“We’re all humans. Whether I’m Palestinian, whether I’m Jewish, whether I’m anything,” he said.

Placing stones on graves is an ancient Jewish custom that signifies the importance of remembrance; it shows that a loved one cared enough to visit a grave and grieve for the loss. 

After the hour-long ritual, hundreds solemnly walked to the fountain at Grand Army Plaza, and each person placed a stone on the name of a person who perished in the Middle East.

Placing stones on graves is an ancient Jewish custom that signifies the importance of remembrance; it shows that a loved one cared enough to visit a grave and grieve for the loss. Photo by Dean Moses Placing stones on graves is an ancient Jewish custom that signifies the importance of remembrance; it shows that a loved one cared enough to visit a grave and grieve for the loss. Photo by Dean Moses

The high holy day of Yom Kippur is also marked by a day of atonement, something Lander said he wanted to acknowledge regarding the ongoing Middle Eastern death toll.

“As someone who feels a connection to Israel, who cares about it, I feel today so deeply that my confession must center on our complicity,” Lander said. “We have betrayed our deepest value: that every human being is created in God’s image.”

Brad Lander.Photo by Dean Moses Hundreds of Jewish New Yorkers gathered in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza Monday afternoon on the Yom Kippur holiday to remember the lives lost in the Israel-Palestine war. Photo by Dean Moses