A crowd of some 200-300 people demand Hamas release hostages at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, Oct. 13, 2023. (Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)
A crowd of some 200-300 people demand Hamas release hostages at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, Oct. 13, 2023. (Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)

This Week in Photos: Bay Area Jews gather and grieve

Sign up for Weekday J and get the latest on what's happening in the Jewish Bay Area.

In the week following Hamas’ invasion of Israel, thousands across the Bay Area have gathered to grieve, mourn and stand in solidarity. Some events were vigils. Some were rallies. Most featured speakers who shared prayers for peace, calls to action, words of encouragement and condemnation for the acts of terror.

Here are some of the scenes our photographers and reporters captured.

(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)
(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)

Eva Seligman bows her head during the “Bring Them Home” rally Friday at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza. She holds an Israeli flag and posters of missing children, including 4-year-old Ariel Bibas, who is among the hostages taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz.

READ MORE: ‘Bring them home’: At S.F. rally, crowd demands return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas


(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)
(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)

Enrico Gallegos (right), who has both Jewish and Palestinian descent, tears up while speaking during an event held by Jewish group IfNotNow at Dolores Park in San Francisco on Tuesday. Attendees recited the Mourner’s Kaddish for the lives lost, both Israeli and Palestinian, and condemned Hamas terrorism and Israel’s blockade of Gaza.


Peg Sandel, head of school at Brandeis Marin, speaks to the crowd at Osher Marin JCC, where Jews gathered in solidarity with Israel on Oct. 8, 2023. Sandel's daughter, Talya, is a reserve lone soldier who has been called to duty. (Photo/Lea Loeb)
(Photo/Lea Loeb)

Peg Sandel, head of school at Brandeis Marin, speaks to the crowd at Osher Marin JCC, where Jews gathered in solidarity with Israel on Sunday. Sandel’s daughter, Talya, is among the hundreds of thousands of Israeli reservists who have been called up for duty.


Holocaust survivor Paul Schwarzbart (front) was among the Marin residents who attended a service for Israel at the JCC on Oct. 8. (Photo/Lea Loeb) RAW DONT PRINT Attendees at the Osher Marin JCC included Holocaust survivor Paul Schwarzbart (front) stand and recite the Mourner's Kaddish in honor of those who have been killed in the recent attack by Hamas, in a solidarity event at Osher Marin JCC on Oct. 8, 2023. (Photo/Lea Loeb)
(Photo/Lea Loeb)

Holocaust survivor Paul Schwarzbart (front) was among the Marin residents who attended a service for Israel at the Osher Marin JCC on Sunday.


(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)
(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (left) embraces Congregation Emanu-El Rabbi Beth Singer during a gathering Sunday at San Francisco’s Congregation Sherith Israel, where many public figures showed their support for Israel.

READ MORE: In S.F., hundreds join urgent gathering to support Israel at war


(Photo/Alix Wall)
(Photo/Alix Wall)

Extra chairs were needed to accommodate the overflow crowd at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette on Monday.

READ MORE: Tears, heavy hearts at South Bay, Contra Costa vigils


(Photo/Emma Steinberg)
(Photo/Emma Steinberg)

An attendee lights a candle at a vigil at Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos on Sunday.

READ MORE: Tears, heavy hearts at South Bay, Contra Costa vigils