By COLlive reporter
Former president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump marked the first anniversary of the October 7 massacre at a memorial event in Doral, Florida on Monday.
The event commemorated the 1,200 Jewish lives lost a year ago after the brutal attack by Hamas in Israel on Simchas Torah, and remembers the still unreleased hostages taken captive in Gaza.
Jewish community leaders gathered for the event held at the Trump National Doral Miami, organized by Yehuda Kaploun, Co-Founder and President of RussKap Water.
The event included remarks by GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, who introduced Donald Trump to the stage.
Memorial candles were lit by three Holocaust survivors and Rabbi Benji Korf, Dean of the Lubavitch Educational Center in Florida, blew the Shofar in honor of the High Holy Days.
Invocations were given by Mark Rosenberg, director of (CSE) Chesed Shel Emes and Chaplain of Florida Highway Patrol, and Rabbi Yaakov Kaploun.
During his remarks, Former President Trump decried the recent shocking surge in antisemitism in the United States.
“The anti-Jewish hatred has returned even here in America, in our streets, our media and our college campuses and within the ranks of the Democrat Party, in particular,” Trump said.
In his address, Trump said that the October 7 attacks would never have happened if he had been reelected as President.
“The last two years have proved that,” he said. “Violence, and more…There’s a lot of hatred on a certain side.
“What is needed is, more than ever, unwavering American leadership,” Trump said.
Trump also said that harmony in the Middle East is “finally within our reach.”
“I will not allow the Jewish state to be threatened with destruction. I will not allow another Holocaust of the Jewish people. I will not allow a jihad to be waged on America or our allies and I will support Israel’s right to win its war,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Trump paid a private visit to the Ohel, the gravesite of the Rebbe at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, New York.
As is customary at the Ohel, Trump donated a coin to a large wooden Tzedakah box before entering the Ohel, where he was seen wearing a black velvet yarmulke from iKippah.
At the Ohel, Trump read his personal note, called a “pan” in Chassidic tradition. He then tore the note, a sign that his prayers were accepted. He was guided to place a stone on top of the Rebbe’s headstone before leaving.
Outside the Ohel, Trump spoke with Yael, Adi, and Roy Alexander whose son and brother, Edan, an American citizen, is still held captive by Hamas.
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The land of Israel in its entirety from sea to Sea is the eternal gift from the Eternal God to the Eternal Jewish people (children of Abraham Isaac and Jacob Sarah Rebecca Rachel and Leia) as recorded countless times in the Eternal Bible.
this is the only way true peace will Usher in the Middle East.
Rabbi Benji Korf, Dean of the Lubavitch Educational Center in Florida, blew the Shofar in honor of the High Holy Days. Very good choice as Rabbi Benji Korf is doing a beautiful job in Miami . His father is surely very proud of him. Congratulations.