Nick Cimillo ‘26 and Addison Winship ‘29

Managing Editor and Staff Writer

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 marked two years since Palestinian nationalist organization Hamas launched surprise military attacks against Israel. In recognition, two memorial events were held by on-campus organizations: Trinity Students and Faculty for Justice in Palestine (SFJP) held a vigil on the Gates Quad, while Trinity College Hillel hosted a memorial event in the Zachs Hillel House.

SFJP’s vigil began at 4:30 p.m., bringing students, faculty and guest speakers to the Gates Quad to hear speeches from students, poetry readings and prayers delivered by on and off-campus religious leaders from across various faiths (Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist and Christian). A collection of posters and illustrations was on display, and keffiyehs were made available for attendees to take and wear. 

Blase Provitola, assistant professor for the language and culture studies and women, gender, and sexuality departments, gave a reading of Anees Ghanima’s poem “Wretched of the Earth.” “I chose this poem in part because, as the title makes clear (referencing Frantz Fanon’s 1961 book of the same name), it’s inspired by anti-colonial thinkers that we teach in our program here at Trinity,” Provitola remarked. 

 Some time later, Venerable Shim Bo, Abbot and Spiritual Director of White Lotus Haven Zen of Connecticut, Inc. and Buddhist Chaplain at Sacred Heart University, delivered the Metta Sutta, a Buddhist discourse on loving-kindness. “Dear friends,” he concluded after the reading, “may all peoples be peaceful, happy and well. May we all be free from harm and grief. And may peace be in your minds and hearts today and forevermore.”

At 5 p.m., Trinity College Hillel hosted their memorial event at the Zachs Hillel House. Each guest was given a handheld candle to “remind us of the light our loved ones brought into the world,” according to Trinity’s Director of Hillel and Jewish Life Rabbi Bonnie Margulis. 

Many individuals wore a yellow ribbon signifying plea for the safe return of hostages and remembrance for the missing and deceased. A survivor of Oct. 7 was present at the memorial to share her story, speaking in Hebrew and accompanied by student translator Ella Geffin ‘29.

Afterward, Alexander Nadelberg ‘26 performed “Olam Chesed Yibaneh” by Menachem Creditor on guitar. After the memorial, attendees were invited to view an exhibit of student art and pictures. When asked how the event was organized, Rabbi Margulis stated, “The students did all of it. Our students are wonderful and very, very, dedicated to Hillel, to Trinity, to Jewish life at Trinity and to our connections with our family in Israel and our Jewish family around the world.” 

Both Oct. 7 memorial events were preceded by an email sent to Hillel alumni and parents by Rabbi Margulis on the same day. In regards to “a pro-Palestinian event taking place on the Gates Quad at 4:30 p.m. today,” she wrote, “This is extremely disturbing and distressing to all of us. Holding such an event on this day of all days, close to the time of our memorial event, is clearly a provocation.” 

After resolving that Hillel will “focus on making our own event as meaningful as possible, our own grief and mourning, and hopes for peace,” Rabbi Margulis discussed ongoing efforts to connect Jewish students with the College’s administration: “We hope to strengthen relationships, create allies, and give the students the comfort of knowing there are trusted adults who they can turn to when these kinds of incidents occur,” she wrote.

Correction: A previous version of this article identified the yellow ribbon in part as a symbol for support for the Israeli military. The yellow ribbon specifically symbolizes a wish for the safe return of the hostages in Hamas captivity.