NEW YORK — Approximately 2,000 people gathered at Columbus Circle on a hot and humid evening to mourn the six hostages whose bodies were recently discovered in Gaza.
The impromptu vigil, held about 24 hours after the devastating news broke, became an emotional mix of song, prayer, and tears as attendees honored the lives lost.
Like many Israel-focused demonstrations in New York City over the past two years, this vigil coincided with mass demonstrations in Tel Aviv and other parts of Israel.
While the focus of the protests in Israel centered on frustration toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his perceived failure to secure the release of the hostages, the New York gathering also echoed those sentiments.
However, the tone in midtown Manhattan was more subdued, with moments of reflection and lamentation overshadowing the political rhetoric.
Among those mourned was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli whose tragic story has become emblematic of the more than 100 hostages still believed to be in Gaza.
His parents’ activism has turned Goldberg-Polin into a global symbol, and his death has resonated deeply with the Jewish community worldwide.
Sharon Litwinoff, a resident of the Upper West Side who attended the vigil, expressed the profound emotional impact of the loss.
“I haven’t met any of these people, but they feel so close,” she said. “It felt like it was always devastating to hear about all of the deaths and everything, but this one felt even more personal.”
The crowd was a sea of American and Israeli flags, many adorned with yellow ribbons — a symbol of advocacy for the hostages.
Some attendees wore dog tags and shirts emblazoned with the words “Bring them home now,” further emphasizing the ongoing fight for justice and freedom for those still held captive.
Throughout the night, the air was filled with Hebrew songs and prayers, uniting the crowd in shared grief.
Rabbi David Levy of the West End Synagogue led a moving prayer, urging the community to continue advocating for the hostages and offering comfort to those who had suffered loss.
“Our hearts break for the families who will never see their loved ones again,” he said, “but we cannot let this sorrow paralyze us. We must continue to demand action.”
The vigil also featured moments of silence, as attendees lit candles and gathered in small groups to offer words of comfort to one another. Many spoke of the emotional toll the hostage crisis has taken on the Jewish community in New York, even for those who have no direct connection to the victims.
Rachel Stein, another attendee, shared her feelings of solidarity. “These are our people,” she said. “It doesn’t matter that they were thousands of miles away. We feel their pain, their fear. We carry their loss with us.”
As the night wore on, the vigil slowly wound down, but the message of unity and resilience remained strong. The gathering was a testament to the enduring connection between the Jewish communities of New York and Israel, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
For those who attended, the vigil was not just a moment of mourning but a call to action, a reminder that the fight for the hostages still in Gaza is far from over.