Houston Jewish community to mark one year since Hamas attack on Israel – Houston Public Media

HRA Facebook page

Houston’s Jewish community is observing Rosh Hashanah as the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel approaches.

The Houston-based Holocaust Remembrance Association will hold a vigil in Kingwood on Sunday for the victims of the October 7 attacks.

“It made everything that we talk about and we educate students about, and families, and the world about… much more relevant,” said Rozalie Jerome, the founder and President of the organization.

Jerome said that threats of antisemitic violence have become more present for her and her organization since last year’s attacks, and that the Holocaust Remembrance Association has invested more than $10,000 into their security because of it.

Jerome said that the Holocaust Remembrance Association had received threats as recently as last week. But despite tensions, in the year since the opening of the HRA’s Holocaust Garden of Hope in Kingwood, the local Jewish community has continued to show up.

“I’ll tell you one thing- a lot of people are coming to visit the exhibit, and they’re seeing the extreme relevance and they’re thankful,” said Jerome. “We had over 600 people come [to the grand opening] because they knew it was important to be there, especially after what happened on October 7th.”

Meanwhile, the Houston Police Department is increasing security at both mosques and synagogues around the city in response to Iran’s missile attacks on Israel on Tuesday.