Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) Tuesday marked two years since Hamas-led militants launched a major attack on Israel, killing close to 1200 people, and abducting 250 others. The attacks plunged the region into an ongoing war, which has killed more than 60 thousand people in Gaza.
"October 7th for the Jewish community has changed everything. I can't tell you how much it has changed our world," said Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein of Congregation Shir Shalom in Williamsville. "We don't feel secure in our society. The pain is just immeasurable."
There has been a surge in antisemitism since the Hamas attack. Jewish communities worldwide and here in the U.S. have experienced record levels of harassment, vandalism, and assault.
"Our congregation is always on alert," Lazarus-Klein told WBEN.
He admitted that it has come to the point where some Jewish people have to hide their faith.
"I definitely think so. I just read a study this morning about how Jews feel less secure than they have ever felt before and many are hiding. Many of us do bring out our Jewish stars, like my own family, but for others, it's too hard," he explained.
This week, Israel and Hamas began indirect talks over President Trump's peace plan, potentially ending the two year war and freeing the remaining hostages from Gaza.
This is the most hopeful Lazarus-Klein has been in a long time.
"Finally," he said, "an opportunity to bring the hostages home, to end this war,
and to bring peace to the region. It would be incredible. Even that faint hope keeps us going right now."