Vigil for Slain Israeli Boys
Tonight Calgarians gathered together to grieve the murder of our three Israeli boys. We are a small Jewish community and it was important to share this emotion together. We met a few hours before sundown by a beautiful water reservoir in the city. We had Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jewish community representation. The theme of the gathering was Jewish unity. We recited prayers and psalms, sang songs and shared words of our heart. We also heard from a current IDF soldier who is in Calgary visiting his family.
Tonight Calgarians gathered together to grieve the murder of our three Israeli boys. We are a small Jewish community and it was important to share this emotion together. We met a few hours before sundown by a beautiful water reservoir in the city. We had Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jewish community representation. The theme of the gathering was Jewish unity. We recited prayers and psalms, sang songs and shared words of our heart. We also heard from a current IDF soldier who is in Calgary visiting his family.
- The evening ended with “Oseh Shalom” (song of peace) and “Hatikvah” (Israeli anthem). One attendee wrote the following statements post service:
“The flags of Israel and Canada. O Canada and Hatikvah. No sweeter sounds have been carried on any breeze.”
“To all those who came in solidarity, to support, to grieve, to send prayers of healing from our hearts outward. Todah.”
“On a most beautiful evening by the waters of the Glenmore Reservoir, we stood together as one Jewish Nation to mourn the murders of #EyalGiladNaftali. Thank you all.”
“With song and prayer, may our Mi Sh'Bayrach be as a loving embrace to the families of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali and all of those in need of healing.”
"We spontaneously gathered.
We mourned.
We sang.
We wept.
We found a small measure of comfort in community.
May their memories be a blessing...."
- Booklet of prayers and thoughts we created and used: http://www.cuwi.ca/uploads/2/3/4/9/23493612/we_love_you_giladeyalnaftali_3.pdf
- Press Release condemning murders: http://www.cuwi.ca/uploads/2/3/4/9/23493612/international_press_release_remembering_eyalgiladnaftali01072014ifi.pdf
- Post event press-release: /uploads/2/3/4/9/23493612/tonight_calgarians_gathered_together_to_grieve_the_murder_of_our_three_israeli_boys_1.docx