Milwaukee remembers Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee is remembering the October 7 terror attacks on Israel when Hamas killed 12-hundred and took more than 200 hostages. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation hosted a memorial Monday night to commemorate the day.

Several local synagogues and nonprofit Jewish organizations worked with the Milwaukee Jewish Federation on this somber event. Well over 800 people showed up in solidarity with Israel.

Exactly 365 days after one of the most horrific acts of violence in the world, the somber anniversary brought hundreds to the Harry and Rose Samson Family JCC Monday night in Whitefish Bay.

"I guess that's what happens when you don't feel like you have control or you can't effect the change that you want then we come together," said Mark Shapiro, President & CEO, Harry and Rose Samson Family JCC.

Among the crowd, 25 year old Isabel Schack who moved to Tel Aviv three years ago after graduating from UW-Madison.

"On October 7, I woke up to sirens. Israel didn't want this. On October 6 we had peace and we never wanted to start this war," said Schack.

Schack says she almost went to the Nova Music Festival where hundreds were killed.

"It just sends chills down my body to think that -19 it could've been me. It was some of my friends and it makes me feel sick really," said Schack.

As the war between Israel and Hamas rages on, the Jewish community's reeling. Anti-semitic attacks right here in the U.S. have left feelings of insecurity.

"Absolutely, the entire posture has changed whether it’s the fact we now have an armed security every hour that we're open at every site of the JCC," said Shapiro.

A billboard campaign started popping up on Milwaukee-area highways shortly after the October 7 atrocities by Lubavitch of Wisconsin with messages like, "Being Jewish is Beautiful."

Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin/CEO, Lubavitch of Wisconsin: 16:50:35 And we thought about what can we do to somehow uplift the spirits of our community -41 and you know it's not everyday that you know you go on the highway and you see a billboard that says Be Proud to Be a Jew," said Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin, CEO, Lubavitch of Wisconsin.

The billboards are down right now, but are expected to go back up after election season's over in November.