Hundreds of people gathered at Judenplatz in Vienna to commemorate the horrific events of October 7, 2023.
The event was moderated and co-organized by young people from the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) Youth.
They formed a yellow ribbon and the word “Life” out of white and yellow roses and prepared a moving introduction, recalling the horrors of that day—the day on which over 1,200 people were murdered and more than 250 were taken hostage.
In addition to a psalm recited by Chief Rabbi Jaron Engelmayer and the funeral prayer by Chief Cantor Shmuel Barzilai, there was also communal prayer.
Particularly moving were the stories of Ayelet Benedek, who shared her memories of that day—from the moment she knew her husband had been killed to her rescue by the IDF more than twelve hours later, which she had to endure in hiding.
Guy Gilboa’s father spoke about what it is like to have waited for his son’s return for over two years – and to feel completely helpless in the face of the horrific images being spread by Hamas.
The ceremony was accompanied musically by Mika Ehrlich and Bella Schütz on the piano, before everyone sang Hatikvah together at the end. In the background, the Bring Them Home ribbon was projected onto the wall of the Mizrachi house—a powerful symbol of hope and solidarity.
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen also shared his thoughts in a video message on the occasion of the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks of October 7.
