Courtesy of @villanovahillel on Instagram.

Villanova Hillel hosted a vigil for the conflict in the Middle East last week.

The attacks on Israel by terrorist group Hamas that began on Saturday, Oct. 7 alarmed both Jewish and secular communities worldwide. The chilling reports of brutal attacks on innocent civilians caught in the crossfire continued, getting worse by the hour, and have yet to improve in the weeks since. Many who have visited Israel in recent history remember her beauty, her sacredness and the overwhelming sense of love and belonging felt within her borders. Now, however, the country that so many call home, whether physically or spiritually, is unrecognizable.

In order to show its support for peace, and to honor the thousands of lives lost or missing in the attacks that have persisted since that grave Saturday morning, the Villanova Hillel hosted a Vigil of Lament at the Riley Ellipse on Tuesday, Oct. 17th. Intended to honor the lives that have been lost, the lives that hang in the balance and those grieving these losses, the service included songs, prayers and readings in both English and Hebrew. What mattered was not that the attendees understood every word, but that those who did not still showed up in support of the Jewish community on campus.

“The turnout to [Tuesday’s] vigil was incredible,” Hillel co-president Micki Loud said. “It means a lot to be supported by the Villanova community in these challenging times.”

The service began with the distribution of strands of blue yarn. The small piece of fabric can be worn as a bracelet or tied on a backpack and symbolizes support for Israel and all of those impacted, either directly or indirectly, by the ongoing violence in the Middle East.  This unifying gesture preceded prayer and song lead by Rabbinic Intern and Hillel co-advisor Aviva Marchione, which were then followed by remarks from both students and Hillel co-advisor Sean Culley.

A stand-out moment in the middle of the service was the candle lighting. In Jewish tradition, the lighting of candles, whether on Shabbat or a holiday, represents a new beginning. Beginning on each end of the circle formed around the field, each person used their own flame to illuminate the wick of the people around them. Using one’s own flames to create a sea of lights gives a glimpse of hope in a world that seems to be clouded by darkness. A reminder like this of the overwhelming support for the Jewish community helps to mitigate the feelings of loneliness and fear that have been growing with each day’s news reports. 

“Hosting a vigil on Villanova’s campus for the innocent individuals who died in the Israel-Palestine conflict was a crucial opportunity for the Jewish community to unite in mourning and reflection during a time of global crisis,” Hillel co-president Lauran Arnold said. “This event also facilitated unity and understanding across the campus community, promoting an environment of empathy and peace.”

In a time as uncertain and heart-wrenching as this, it is crucial to establish a strong support system. Having an environment that validates the grief and anger that come with these difficult circumstances is a necessary first step in processing, and eventually healing. Although there is not a universal impact of this tragedy, events like this vigil unify the community towards a common goal of establishing peace and wellbeing for all.