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.
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
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 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 Osher Marin JCC on Sunday.
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
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
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