TORONTO —

Held on the rooftop of the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, approximately 85 people attended the Aug. 25 vigil for Nir Katz and Liz Trubeshi, who were killed in the attack on a Tel Aviv centre for gays and lesbians on Aug. 1. At least a dozen others were injured by the masked gunman.

The vigil was organized by Kulanu Toronto and the New Israel Fund of Canada (NIF). Canadian Jewish Congress CEO Bernie Farber, Justine Apple of Kulanu, a gay and lesbian social group for young people, and Naomi Kramer of NIF spoke at the podium, which was flanked by rainbow flags. Rabbi Ed Elkin of the First Narayever Congregation and Rabbi Aaron Levy of the Kiever Synagogue said prayers for the victims.

Apple kicked off the vigil by speaking about the Aug. 1 attack.

“Tonight we come together to mourn the inextricable reality of hate towards the gay community. Above all, we are here to mourn the loss of Nir and Liz,” she said.

“These two young Israelis, who while providing support to their peers, were met with terror and with violence. We send our deepest condolences to both of their families, to their friends and to their loved ones, who are left to pick up the pieces after this senseless act of violence.

“We are also here to pray for the dozen or so youth who were injured in the attack, and we wish them a speedy recovery.”

Farber next spoke about the deep understanding the Jewish community has of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community.

“While this is a terrible reason to be together, it is an important opportunity for all of us to stand in solidarity with the LGBT community, which still finds itself the target of hateful attacks. Who would have thought as we entered the 21st century that vestiges of hate and ignorance would still prevail?” he asked.

“Sadly, we in the Jewish community understand all too well what it feels like to be hated simply for who we are. We have seen that hatred manifested in any number of ways, but rather than making us fearful, it has only strengthened our resolve,” Farber said, adding that the attack can act as a warning against complacency.

“We all have the right to live free from fear that we will be attacked simply for being ourselves. Standing up for that right is simply the correct thing to do.”

Kramer spoke next about breaking the silence.

“We hope that [this tragedy] will serve as a wake-up call at a time when Israel is polarized, minorities are threatened, and racist, sexist and homophobic incitement grows louder,” she said.

“Today, we are here to say that not only Israelis, but everyone, must raise our voice… As individuals, we can raise our voices in our own community, however difficult that may be. We can use organizations in place to help us protest against all forms of hate.

“By being silent, have we allowed hate to seem normal?”