On Oct. 21, 2025, the Jewish Student Union (JSU) club at Great Neck North High School held the second Annual Hope and Remembrance event in remembrance of Oct. 7, 2023. Students, staff and families gathered at the North Middle School Track for the event. The school’s JSU club leaders organized the event, and some of them, including Ella Friedrich, Yair Elias, Adi Hakimi and Zachary Harounian, spoke at the event, sharing stories, opinions and memories from the life-changing day two years ago. 

“I was relieved that we were able to come together to celebrate the return of the hostages while remembering Oct. 7,” teacher Anna Dulberg said. “I was very moved by the speeches because I was surprised at how impacted the students in our community were. I feel honored to work in a place where students and staff are proud to be Jewish.”

The event was first started to remember the many lives lost on that horrific day and to have hope that the hostages, now freed, would come home. On this day, the community was not only able to remember but also to celebrate the hostages because the remaining few in Gaza were released. The JSU club student officers put the event together with assistance from Hebrew teacher Mrs. Bokhour. The event began with students from the school singing the American national anthem and the Israeli national anthem, Hatikva. This unity demonstrates the students coming together to value and distinguish the tragic day. Some of the members gave speeches, and others introduced them along with special guests Abby Badalov from Great Neck South High School and Bernie Furshpan from the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center. 

Zachary Harounian is giving a speech about what October 7th means to him (Credit: Coleen Bowler).

The speeches that students gave at this event were not only moving, but inspiring, impactful and powerful. Ella Friedrich, president of JSU at Great Neck North High School, gave a meaningful speech sharing her experience with the day.

“I really appreciate how I was able to share my experiences because I feel like no one, aside from those who also experience it, actually understands how Oct. 7 impacted people who had family and friends die,” junior Ella Friedrich said. “I spoke about this day because I wanted to spread awareness and promote understanding of the event, especially from the perspective of someone who lost friends and family.”

This year’s event added optimism to the community because the hostages were released, and everyone’s personal story reflected their relief and connection to the day. Even without the current dispute happening next year, the JSU wants to expand the event next year to further spread recognition of the atrocities that occurred on Oct. 7. Reaching more people, more communities and more ethnicities, this event can spark mass awareness for the cruelties that occur in some areas of the world.

People who went to the event have also reacted in such positive ways, appreciating the initiative of the JSU members and their devotion to the cause.

“I am very impressed with the Great Neck North High student community for standing up for the Oct. 7 event even after two years,” parent Margo Rastegar said. “It shows how a community of non-Jewish and Jewish people all commemorate and support each other through tough times.”

The Oct. 7 Remembrance and Hope Event was first established to bring together the Jews in Great Neck. However, it has now evolved into a milestone that unifies many different people and allows the community to remember those who lost their lives. This gathering not only brought students, faculty and people outside of school closer together, but also emphasized growth for the future, highlighting how even after a great tragedy, there is always room for hope and unity.