( New York Jewish Week ) — If Oct. 7, 2023 was a day of shock and disbelief for Jewish New Yorkers — staring at their phones in horror as details of Hamas’ attack trickled in, learning of the mounting atrocities while, discordantly, celebrating a holiday at synagogue — Oct. 7, 2024 was different: For Jews across the city, it was a day of gathering, intention and action.
But though Jews came together in large numbers, it was not necessarily a day of unity. A large, traditionally pro-Israel rally drew thousands to Central Park. But downtown, hundreds more gathered for a pair of left-wing Jewish rallies in Union Square. Earlier in the day, pro-Israel activists came together inside and outside of Columbia University’s gates.
And thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters also gathered together for a massive street protest that marched uptown, ending at Columbus Circle…