Federation Commemorates the Second Anniversary of Hamas Attack

I come from the water
    And to the water I go
    I will be the sunrise on distance shores
    The ocean gave me life
    And now I give it my soul
    So I could surf Forevermore
    Those words were sung by Guy Rosmarin and the Tone Deaf Preachers in memory of 15-year-old Carmel Bachar, murdered in the terrorist attack by Hamas on Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7, 2023.
    Carmel and his mother, Dana, were killed that day and laid to rest together. Carmel’s final request as he lay dying was that he be buried with his surfboard so he could ride the waves forever. 
    Rosmarin, himself an avid surfer, performed the song with his group on Oct. 5 during the commemoration of the attack on Israel that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 others taken hostage was sponsored by the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, synagogues, institutions and organizations throughout Monmouth and Middlesex counties.

    The program at the Jewish Community Center of the Jersey Shore in Deal also featured remarks from Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Dist.6), Ocean Township Mayor John P. Napolitani and two Marlboro High school siblings, Chloe and Travis Vena, who spoke of their pride and commitment to Israel and Judaism, as well as a performance by Kol Halayla, the a cappella choir of Rutgers Hillel.
    Rosmarin is a native Israeli born in Kfar Saba whose family immigrated to Queens when he was in high school. After graduation, he returned to Israel to serve as a paratrooper in the IDF. Rosmarin returned to New York, earned college degrees, married his wife, Efrat, and moved his family to the Jersey Shore area, becoming an avid surfer.
    Rosmarin told the audience that Carmel’s story had  personally touched him because of his love of surfing and because he also has a 15-year-old.
    “I just surfed this very morning right here in Deal,” he said. “Every time I go out I think about that kid.”
 

The program was held as reports of negotiations to release the last 20 hostages held in Gaza by Hamas were being reported—they were let go Oct. 13. Pallone made note of the divisiveness caused by the war but added that “the bottom line is that we all want peace, but we can’t have the price of peace be surrender to terrorists.”
    Despite his differences with the administration, Pallone said he would always support any effort that results in the release of hostages and brings peace to Israel.
    “It is very important to always support Israel,” said Pallone to sustained  applause. 
    Federation Executive Director Susan Antman noted how the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust has “changed the soul of the Jewish people.”
    She said it had torn apart families, created vivid and painful memories and unleashed “Jewish trauma.”
    But rather than feeling fear and helplessness, said Antman, Jews around the world stood up and reached out collectively stating, “We will not forget. We will not be broken.”  
    She emphasized the community would continue to “live proudly as Jews” and stand up  to the hate and antisemitism “as a people who have endured so much but have survived.”
    Taking that stance further Dan Rozett, federation director of community relations and Israel engagement, spoke about the plight of the hostages deprived of food, sunlight and family and criticized those  who claim to be supporting human rights, including the United Nations, but ignore the suffering of Israelis.

    “They are silent,” he said. “They are complicit. But we are not silent…We are one family. Am Yisrael Chai.”
    The audience also was shown moving videos of mothers who lost loved ones in the October 7 attacks describing their loss and suffering. A video of the funeral of Carmel and his mother was also shown featuring the lowering of his casket with his favorite surfboard on top into the ground as his father, Avida, who lost a leg in the attack and was sitting in a wheelchair, looked on with Carmel’s sister.
    Avida was so touched when he heard the community would be honoring his son at the commemoration, he sent along his own video.
    “Think you for standing with us,” he said before wishing everyone, “Chag Sameach” two days before the holiday of Sukkot.

DEBRA RUBIN has had a long career in journalism writing Secular weekly daily newspapers and Jewish publications. She most recently served as Middlesex/Monmouth bureau chief for the New Jersey Jewish News. She also worked with the media at several nonprofits, including serving as assistant public relations director of HIAS and assistant director of media relations at Yeshiva University.