SCOTCH PLAINS — On Sunday, October 5, the JCC of Central NJ in Scotch Plains hosted an October 7 commemoration event to remember those murdered, those taken hostage and all the others whose lives were forever changed by Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Over 100 participants gathered in Wonderscape, a beautiful, reflective outdoor space at the JCC.
Local synagogues partnered with the JCC and their clergy presided over the event including Rabbi Uri Allen of Temple Sha’arey Shalom in Springfield, Rabbi Howard Tilman of Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains, Rabbi Ethan Prosnitof Temple Emanu-El in Westfield, Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov of Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains, Rabbi Steven Sternof Temple Beth Or Beth Torah in Clark, Rabbi Paul Kerbel of Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim in Cranford and Rabbi Joshua FinkelsteinofTempleBethAhmYisrael in Springfield.
The program included prayers for the hostages, healing and the State of Israel, reflections on the impact of October 7 and the American Jewish community and thoughts from featured speaker Daniela Gefen who is the JCC’s community shlicha (Israeli emissary) from Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ.
The theme of this important commemoration wasWingsofHope.Wings of Hope began as a project by Livnat Kutz (z”l) and the Kibbutz Kfar Aza community, near the Gaza Strip. In July 2023 – just months before October 7 – Livnatandhercommunitypaintedbeautiful wings on the wall of a shelter – symbols of strength, creativity, hope and the power of community Tragically,Livnatandherfamilywere murdered on October 7, a loss that touched hearts around the world. In response, Livnat’s sister and many others began sharing the Wings of Hope project far and wide, creating copies of the wings in communities everywhere.
“The values reflected in the Wings of Hope project are values that are deeply embraced by our JCC community,” said Mallory Zipkin, JCC Associate Executive Director. “Without hesitation, we all agreed that this was a perfect, powerful and meaningful way to commemorate October 7 and the beautiful Kutz family.”
Leading up to the commemoration event, the JCC along with their synagogue partnerscollectedsmalltoypieces from which the JCC’s Wings of Hope were constructed.The JCC community worked with JCC artist in residence, Laurie Caspert, to put together this colorful work of art. Children in the JCC’s early childhood, after school and Club Connect programs helped bring the Wings to life along with JCC staff and families–itwasatruecommunityeffort! The Wings were dedicated at this event and will now live permanently on Wonderscape, a place where children play, imagine and dream every day.
“We chose this special spot because we want the youngest in our community to see and feel the hope, creativityand light that this art represents,” shared Robin Brous, JCC Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and former Early Childhood Director. “This beautiful childlike artwork was created in loving memory of Livnat Kutz, a bright and creative young soul whose story touches all of us deeply.Our Wings of Hope is a lasting symbol that no matter our age, we belong to a caring, creative community.”
The JCC is grateful to Laurie Caspert and everyone in the community whohelped createthe Central NJWings of Hope. They are also deeply appreciative of the support and partnership from the Union County clergy and JCC lay leaders as well as Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, JCC Association and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.
Mallory Zipkin stressed that “the message of this event is simple: Together, we honor those we lost and light a path forward – a path filled with hope, love and community.”
For more information about the JCC ofCentralNJvisitwww.jccnj.org.Learn more about the Wings of Hope project at https://www.livnatswings.org/en.
The JCC of Central New Jersey is located at 1391 Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains.The JCC of Central New Jersey is a constituent agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, United Way of Greater Union County and theWestfield United Fund. Financial assistance is available for membership and various programs.
