On the two-year anniversary of Oct. 7, the West Hartford community gathered to commemorate the remaining Israeli hostages with messages of cautious optimism.

Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

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Well over a hundred people gathered on the west lawn of West Hartford Town Hall on Sunday morning to support Israel and commemorate the two-year anniversary since the devastating attacks that occurred on Oct. 7, 2023.

The gathering was non-partisan, and the event had a cautious air of optimism, too, matching the late summer-like conditions.

Hosted by Greater Hartford For Israel, which was founded Ari Schaffer, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, the event featured several notable speakers including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. John Larson and other members of the Jewish community, and was also attended by multiple West Hartford Town Council members as well as candidates from both political parties.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Schaffer introduced the event, remarking how these marches have been happening every week across the nation since the initial attack and reminding the crowd that 251 hostages were taken, and offering a hint of optimism at recent news. “I hope in the next few days, we’ll see the last 48 hostages, who we’ve marched for week after week, finally returned home.”

Ari Schaffer, co-organizer of weekly marches and Oct. 5 event. Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Schaffer reminded the crowd that there is still work to do in the fight against antisemitism. “Those who saw the reaction to Oct. 7 on our college campuses around the world and can’t forget it, it means not becoming complacent. We have a lot to do to overcome antisemitism and dogmatic anti-Israel sentiment that revealed itself in the days, months, and years since Oct. 7th.”

While introducing Blumenthal, Schaffer recognized the work of the West Hartford Police and the security they have provided for the weekly marches, receiving strong applause from the crowd.

Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Blumenthal matched Schaffer’s hopeful tone, thanking everyone for their courage and their strength. “Our hope … even as we recall the shock and horror and grief of Oct. 7 two years ago, hope that we are … on the brink of great achievement … return of the hostages.”

Blumenthal also offered a sobering reminder talking about the need for “Israel’s security [being] essential to our national security.  It is a fight against terror that threatens the United States. It is a fight against antisemitism that threatens every one of us every day.”  He commended the West Hartford community for being “so steadfast and strong” in their support of Israel and committing to continue to seek bipartisan support for Israel upon his return to Washington, DC.

U.S. Rep John Larson. Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Larson then spoke, saying we need to “understand the great concern that exists, not simply for the freedom of Israel … but the rise we’ve seen of antisemitism and islamophobia.” He exhorted the crowd “to be unrelenting in making sure your voice is heard. You are standing up and not turning away.”

Les Loew, co-organizer of the weekly marches and Oct. 5 event. Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Next to speak was Les Loew who, in concert with Schaffer, has been organizing these events for the past two years. “Israel and the Jewish people need friends in Congress like never before,” he remarked. Loew injected a similar hopeful note, saying, “Let’s pray that this will be our last gathering,” to applause from the crowd.

Other speakers included Kerry Rausch, one of the founders of the Grassroots Jewish Woman of Connecticut. She spoke of one of the hostages, Elkana Bohbot, and told the story of his 5-year-old son who waits each day by the door for his father to return, and his parents who agonize each day over his fate.

Kerry Rausch, co-founder of Grassroots Jewish Women of Connecticut. Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Next to speak was David Waren, president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. “We promised we would not look away, and that we would do our part, two years have passed, the grief remains, but so does the resolve that was borne here from this community,” Waren said. “From all of us together, words became action.”

David Waren, president and CEO of the Jewish federation of Greater Hartford. Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Following the ceremony, the large crowd marched, as they do each week, carrying flags and signs in support of Israel and the hostages, walking north on South Main Street to Farmington Avenue, east to Raymond Road and then back to Town Hall through the first entrance. A heavy police contingent escorted them through the entire route.

Rabbi Tuvia Brander. Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

Rally in West Hartford. Oct. 5, 2025. Courtesy photo

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