Jonathan Benartzi and Noa Rothman light candles in memory of their grandfather, Yitzhak Rabin, on the 20th anniversary of his assassination (Photo by Robert F. Kusel).

For the 20th anniversary of his assassination, more than 400 Chicagoans gathered for a memorial service to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The Nov. 10 event was held at Chicago Sinai Congregation.

View photos from the event.

Rabin’s grandchildren, Jonathan Benartzi and Noa Rothman, lit candles and shared their memories of him. They also spoke of the Yitzhak Rabin Center in Tel Aviv established in his honor.

“Thank you for your commitment to the ongoing legacy of my grandfather, a leader, warrior, and peacemaker,” Benartzi said, noting that, for Rabin’s family, “The struggle for Israel was our everything.”

Israeli Consul General to the Midwest Roey Gilad called Rabin’s assassination by a fellow Israeli Jew “the lowest point in Israeli history.” He said he wanted to use the anniversary “for ‘ cheshbon nefesh ,’ for soul-searching.” Gilad then led a brief discussion with Martin Indyk, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, and Rothman, a lawyer in the Tel Aviv district attorney’s office and now an Israeli television producer.

Indyk said Rabin, who had once served as Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., knew Israel “needed the U.S. to make peace” with its neighbors. Rabin felt that Israelis and Palestinians should be separate out of mutual respect, which would build trust. “Now, there is no trust.”

Rothman compared her grandfather’s assassination to that of President Lincoln. She called Israel’s relationship to the Diaspora “deeper than a bond,” but warned, “When Israel becomes a political issue in the U.S., Israel is in trouble.”

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel told the audience that when he was serving as White House Chief of Staff under President Clinton, he helped arrange the peace-treaty signing between Israel’s Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan, and how he invited his father — a veteran of Israel’s War of Independence — to attend. Rabin “was a fighter for Israel,” Emanuel said, “both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. We were privileged to call him ‘ chaver ‘ (friend).”

Harry J. Seigle, JUF’s 2016 General Campaign Chairman and a member of Chicago Sinai, spoke of JUF’s continued commitment to a safe and secure Israel.

Two videos were presented. One highlighted Rabin’s life and achievements, both military and political. The other was of his final speech, made moments before his assassination, in which he said, “Peace is the first of all our prayers … The Israeli people want peace.”

The Chicago Sinai choir lead the attendees in the national anthems of Israel and the U.S. and several Israeli songs, including “Shir LaShalom,”(“Song of Peace”), which Rabin sang at the peace rally at which he was killed.

The congregation’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Seth Limmer, led attendees in the Mourner’s Kaddish. Sinai’s Assistant Rabbi Amanda Greene and Anshe Emet Synagogue’s Rabbi Michael Siegel led a Prayer for the State of Israel.

The memorial service was sponsored by the Yitzhak Rabin Center, Chicago Sinai Congregation, Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest and JUF.