Candlelight vigil for Israeli hostages held by Hamas: 'Islamic terrorism is horrific'

WEST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX11) -- It has been one week since the devastating moment when the families of six of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas learned that they had been found shot to death.

It is believed that at least 64 Israeli hostages are still being held. A candlelight vigil for those killed and prayers for those still being held were organized by Metrowest Israel Action Committee and Israel 365 NJ.

More than 250 people held candles and marched to remember the two women and four men brutally murdered by Hamas Terrorists after being held captive and tortured in Gaza for 11 months.

Many held life-size photographs of the six killed.

“This is a Judeo Christian event of multiple faiths coming together to say Islamic terrorism is a horrific thing and we need to stand up,” Moshe Glick, cofounder Metrowest Israel Action Committee, told PIX11 News.

This candlelight procession and service was personal to many who had met the family of Hersh Polin-Goldberg, the only US citizen killed.

His mother had visited the synagogue. Others had lost relatives in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, like Ava Reinfeld.

“My distant cousin whom I did not know who lived in Israel was killed in the attack,” Reinfeld told PIX11 News. “His name was Itzak Gelerenter,” she added.

Andrea Bier was in Israel and met the family of Eliyah Cohn, who was still being held captive.

“He was kidnapped from the same bomb shelter that Hersh Polin-Goldberg was in. He was wounded in the leg,” Bier told PIX11 News. “His parents have so much faith that he will be returned home."