Students stood somberly yesterday evening to mourn the loss of eight Talmudic students murdered in last week's terrorist attack at the Mercaz Harav Seminary in Jerusalem. A group of about 200 supporters gathered on the steps of Brower Commons on the College Avenue campus for the vigil, which was sponsored by the Rutgers Hillel and the Cook Campus Council.
The deadly attack occurred last week on the eve of the Jewish month of Adar, a traditionally happy month in the Jewish calendar.
"What began as a night of celebration, ended in a night of mourning," said Hillel member Gabe Homa, a junior, who organized the event. Palestinian terrorists broke into the building's library murdering 8 students and wounding 40.
Hillel President Avi Smolen, explained why the group was holding such an event.
"We want to honor the memory of those who were killed, and gather together for those who were wounded in the attacks because they were students and therefore we can relate," said Smolen, a Rutgers College junior. "It is also to bring awareness to the incident as well as awareness and solidarity."
"This was an act of terror," he said. "An act in which innocent students died, we can all understand how horrid that is."
Smolen said Homa was the first to bring up the idea of the vigil.
"Gabe came to me asking me if we could do something, and I felt it was imperative we commemorate the victims," he said.
Rabbi Esther Reed the Associate Director for Jewish Campus Life said the shooting happened Thursday, and by Sunday night Hillel had a committee to meet to talk about planning action.
"We do Jewish community town meetings once a month, and so Hillel sees itself as the convener of Jewish life on campus and this is part of that role," he said. "Hillel likes to see itself as a place for Jews of all different backgrounds."
Rutgers University Student Assembly Chair Dana Jackson came to the event to speak on the importance of unity and solidarity despite difference.
"This is not just a Jewish issue, it is a humanitarian issue," said Jackson, a Rutgers College senior. "We need each other despite our backgrounds, now is the time to come together to support each other as one," Jackson said.
College Avenue campus Dean Matt Matsuda also came out to the event to show his support.
"We would all rather not have to be here to reflect on loss of life," Matsuda said. "But we also need to celebrate what is possible." Matsuda spoke about the meaning of the word vigil and the importance of coming together in spite of tragedy.
The vigil included a short biography of each of the murdered students ranging from ages 15 to 26.
Hillel Rabbi Yisrael Porath, spoke about the importance of continuing the Jewish traditions in spite of tragedy. The rabbi personally knew Segev, one of the boys who died.
"We must continue to pass on the shinning light of Segev and his friends forever," Porath said.
The 8 students where murdered in the school's library where they had been studying the Torah.
"These boys were studying words of Torah, words of wisdom, words of peace," Homa said. "They were trying to grow as human beings and bring light onto the world. They were killed in their purest state."
Hillel Executive Director Andrew Getraer thanked the students who came out to help mourn the victims.
"When tragedy hits, people need one another," Getraer said. "Sometimes we wonder if anyone else cares. Well look around you - we all share your pain."
A group of member from the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity also came out to show solidarity for the event.
"We are mainly a Jewish fraternity on campus, and therefore we feel it is important to show our support to those who were murdered. It's the least we can do," said Rutgers College sophomore Jordan Dermon, a brother.
Others felt the vigil brought about the message of peace, not only for Israel and Jews, but for the world in general.
"This is more then just mourning for the loss of Jewish life, it is a broader tragedy in general that all people can relate to regardless of race," said Rutgers College junior Keren Kapoano.
At the vigil's end, students gathered to sign a guest book, which will be delivered Mercaz Harav this summer. All are welcome to sign and the book, which will be available at the Hillel House until the end of the semester.
- Pablo Albilal contributed to this article
