St. Louis comes together to remember Oct. 7 and stand for resilience

Published September 17, 2025

Oct. 7 commemoration St. Louis

Nearly two years after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, the St. Louis Jewish community will gather for an Oct. 7 commemoration to honor the victims, survivors and families whose lives were forever changed.

On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Jewish Federation of St. Louis will host a citywide Oct. 7 commemoration, beginning at 5 p.m. The event is meant to be both a memorial and a call to resilience. Advance registration is required to attend.

Interactive spaces at the Oct. 7 commemoration

The evening will open with tents and stations featuring immersive experiences for all ages designed to engage, educate and remember. Visitors will be invited to watch a short documentary, walk through a photo exhibit memorial to the victims of the Nova Music Festival and take part in family-friendly activities such as letter-writing and bracelet-making. A project called “Kites for Peace” will be distributed in memory of the Kutz family and the residents of Kfar Azza, where Hamas killed more than 60 residents of the kibbutz and took 19 as hostages. Guests will also help pack food and receive a cookbook titled A Recipe with a Memory.

“These spaces will be emotional, impactful and intentional,” said Cynthia Wachtel, manager of the Israel Emissary Initiatives at the Federation. “Each moment has been created to honor the memory of those lost, stand in solidarity with survivors and strengthen our community’s commitment to resilience and hope.”

Oct. 7 commemoration program

At 6:30 p.m., attendees will gather for a special program led by Federation President and CEO Danny Cohn, featuring guest speakers who will share personal reflections and stories from the past two years. The Oct. 7 commemoration will conclude with a candlelight vigil, where each person will receive a Yahrzeit candle to take home.

Registration and security details

The gathering is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Security will be heightened, with only small purses allowed inside the venue and bag checks at the entrance. Light kosher snacks will be served. The location will be provided to registered participants ahead of time. More information and registration details can be found at jfedstl.org/as-one-we-remember or by calling 314-442-4018.