When words fail us, all that remains is prayer

It’s almost unfathomable that we now mark two years since the brutal Hamas massacre of 7 October 2023, a day etched into Jewish memory forever. Even now, 48 of our brothers and sisters remain captive in Gaza, enduring an unimaginable torment.

That heartbreaking day – the deadliest for the Jewish people since the Shoah – stole the lives of more than a thousand innocent men, women, and children in the most horrific ways. It also unleashed a new and virulent wave of antisemitism that has swept across the world, touching every Jewish community.

And yet, even amidst such profound loss and pain, what has shone through the darkness is the extraordinary strength and unity of our people. The resilience of am Yisrael (the nation of Israel) has been a beacon. From Israel to the diaspora, our communities have drawn closer together, standing shoulder to shoulder. Here in Durban and across South Africa, we have witnessed not only the courage of our own community, but also the remarkable solidarity of friends and allies, many of whom have spoken out and stood up for us, often at great personal cost.

Two years may have passed, but the wounds of 7 October remain raw and unhealed. Words alone feel inadequate to capture the enormity of this loss. All that remains is to pray: for the immediate release and safe return of the hostages; for comfort to the bereaved; for healing for the broken-hearted; for an end to the war and destruction; and for peace for our beloved Israel.

May the suffering cease. May justice prevail. And may am Yisrael be blessed with brighter, more peaceful days ahead.

• Alana Pugh-Jones Baranov is the president of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies KwaZulu-Natal Council.