The Sudbury Interfaith Dialogue is inviting Sudburians to a non-partisan vigil for peace in support of all who are suffering in the Middle East. The vigil will be held Thursday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. in the foyer at Tom Davies Square.
A release from the host states “prayers and laments will be offered by representatives of different local faiths, including the Bahai, Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim communities.”
Mayor Paul Lefebvre will provide welcoming remarks.
The vigil is in support of those caught up in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas, which began on Oct. 7 with a surprise, but co-ordinated offensive on Israel. The attack began in the morning with a barrage of rockets launched from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip against Israel before approximately 2,500 Palestinian militants breached the Gaza–Israel barrier, killing at least 1,400 Israelis, including 260 people at a music festival in Re'im. Unarmed civilian hostages and captured Israeli soldiers were taken to the Gaza Strip, including women and children.
Israel began conducting retaliatory strikes before formally declaring war on Hamas a day later. Nearly 5,100 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel launched its campaign more than two weeks ago, according to Palenstinian health officials.
The United Nations and many countries have called for an immediate ceasefire. Human rights groups across the globe called for the intake of Gazan refugees caused by the war.
An “All Out for Gaza” march organized by a group called Palestine Solidarity Sudbury has also been planned for Saturday, Oct. 28. The event, which will run 2-4 p.m., involves a march beginning at Memorial Park, up the Bridge of Nations and back.
There was also a vigil for peace for the Jewish community of Sudbury on Oct. 18.
At the event, Emily Caruso-Parnell, board president at the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue, told attendees that people were hurting, having seen the horror perpetrated against family and loved ones in Israel. She also spoke of the Palestinian people.
“As much as Israelis are victims of Hamas, Palestinian families who are just trying to to live their lives and raise their children are, tragically, also victims of Hamas terror and have been for too many long years,” said Caruso-Parnell. “We need to be very clear on that point. We cannot allow the terror to lead us away from each other.”
She noted that she feels antisemitism (hostility or prejudice against the Jewish people), is often an early warning of greater unrest.
“Rising antisemitism is always the canary in the coal mine,” she said. “It is an early warning signal for rising intolerance and hatred for many groups. We have so much in common; where terror seeks to divide us we must instead unite and work together to make a safer world for everyone.”
For questions about the event, email [email protected]
