Murdered for Being Jewish!
On October 7, survivor Rafael Zimerman moved everyone during his speech at the Israelite Cemetery of Embu – São Paulo. As he recalled the tragic events of that day, he was overcome with emotion, struggling to find words while reliving his painful story. In his memories, he described the death of friends during the terrorist attack that stormed the party they were attending — blood and bodies were scattered everywhere.
In his remarks, Zimerman emphasized the importance of expressing love to those around us, always seeking peace, and not wasting time on futile conflicts.
In this setting of remembrance and reflection, there was a plaque in honor of the victims — ensuring that what is regarded as the greatest tragedy for the Jewish people since the Holocaust will never be forgotten. Zimerman emphasized that those murdered on October 7 were killed simply for being Jewish — and indeed, his words resonate as an undeniable truth.
Event at the Israelite Cemetery
The gathering prompted deep reflection on the meaning of being Jewish today — and, in fact, at any point in history.
Among those present were:
- Célia Parnes (President of the Jewish Federation)
- Ricardo Berkiensztat (Executive President of the Jewish Federation)
- Gili Vilian (Consul of Israel in São Paulo)
- Rav Shmuel Besser and Rav Guershi Goldsztajn, along with other important leaders of the Jewish community.
The event also featured the participation of Brazilians Rafael Zimerman, 30, survivor of the attack in Israel, and Maurício Wenick, 23, an Israeli soldier who fought during the offensive.
A youth choir from Unibes performed a moving song, touching all those present with its impeccable harmony.
Violent Protest in São Paulo
On the eve of the memorial, October 6, during a tribute to IDF Reserve Major Rafael Rozenszajn at São Paulo’s City Council, organized by Councilwoman Cris Monteiro, five pro-Palestinian infiltrators disrupted the ceremony. They stood up during the Major’s speech, shouting and attempting to raise Palestinian flags, causing panic among the Jewish community in attendance.
Catholic and Evangelical groups were also present to honor the Major. The swift action of police and security forces contained the violent protest, which endangered Jews, Catholics, and Evangelicals alike, and was reported widely in national media.
Powerful Messages
Maurício Wenick (survivor):
“I want to leave a message that our will to live must be greater than our pain. We must honor the victims and pray for a better future. May this day be a milestone for the entire Jewish community, in Israel and worldwide. I hope that, over the years, it becomes a positive mark, because that is what most of the victims would have wanted — for us to have a better future.”
Célia Parnes (President of Fisesp):
“The message is for the new generations, in this memorial, in this space, with the presence of schools, and as a warning to all of society — not only the Jewish community, but Brazilian society as a whole — about the dangers of discrimination, the rise of antisemitism, radicalism, and extremism, and the impact these forces have had on the world.”
Gili Vilian (Consul of Israel in São Paulo):
“October 7 is still an open wound for us. It has never healed. We are no longer the same — neither as Jewish people nor as Israelis. We still have people fighting for us every day, leaving their families behind to keep us alive. Many remain wounded, physically and mentally, struggling for their lives. What we want the world to know is the truth: that Israel and the Jewish people seek love and believe that life is the most precious gift. We only want the truth to be known, and for the lies surrounding us not to be believed.”
Rav Guershi Goldsztajn:
“Today is a day we must always remember and never forget. Just as with the Holocaust, we have now endured another tragic episode: October 7. We honor our heroes and reflect: if the Holocaust was the price we paid for not yet having our land of Israel, perhaps October 7 was the price we paid for already possessing it. Our history has never been easy. The more they try to strike us, the more we rise. We must always remember, honor, and move forward, because our history can never be erased.”
