A Vigil Held in Remembrance

By Cage Evinger

On a day with a slight chill in the air, not yet autumn but no longer summer, a group of about 50 people came together to celebrate life at a time when it may all seem so futile.

On Wednesday, around the clock tower, the group Jewish Voices for Peace Purchase (JVP Purchase) held a memorial vigil set to honor the lives lost in Gaza as well as look toward a more positive future.

(from left to right) Professor Mara Horowitz, David Einhorn, Professor Abdul-Quader, and Professor Galloway open up the event (Photo by Jordan Pomells)

Professor Sam Galloway began the event by grieving all loss of life in Gaza. After reading a short section of the Gospels (5:3-10), they gave the microphone to Professor Mara Horowitz, who lit a candle in remembrance of life. Professor Athar Abdul-Quader then read a section from the Quran. Once the professors had finished their speeches, the microphone was given to the audience. 

The microphone was shared from person to person, allowing everyone in the audience to have their voices heard. Noah Morris, a sophomore who attended the event, said, “I think a lot of us do have our frustrations and feel powerless to the situation, so sometimes it is important to have these moments.”

Noah Morris attending the event and watching David Einhorn speak (Photo by Jordan Pomells)

David Einhorn, a senior and the leader of JVP Purchase, spoke similarly in that the event was “meant to be simply an expression of grief from the Purchase community.” He went on to say how “it’s not connected to any demands we have of the new administration.” 

JVP Purchase first came into existence toward the end of the Fall 2023 semester, and acts as a pod for the JVP Westchester chapter of the organization. Now, almost two years later, the group wants to “take any opportunity we have to reach out a hand to them, and the new president,” added Einhorn. 

Professor Athar Abdul-Quader reading from the Quran as Professor Galloway watches (Photo by Jordan Pomells)

“We were gathering here specifically to remember the lives lost in Gaza and Palestine, and that doesn’t mean we’re excluding anyone else who has lost their lives,” said Professor Horowitz. “We felt like we needed a space to come together on this particular issue.”

Ahead of a new semester, with a new president in charge of the school, students and professors alike begin to wonder what lies ahead for SUNY Purchase. JVP Purchase, along with many students coming out to support, is showing that their voices will be heard.