The local Jewish community packed into Boulder’s Jewish Community Center on Wednesday to sing together, pray together and hear from three people who either witnessed or were burned during the recent Pearl Street Mall attack.

Organizers said the goal of the vigil, held in response to a Molotov cocktail attack on Pearl Street Mall on Sunday, was to honor survivors, support the Jewish community and stand united against antisemitism and hate.

Officials have identified 15 people, ranging in age from 25 to 88, who were harmed in the attack. All the victims are expected to survive, including three victims who were being treated at UCHealth University of Colorado’s burn unit, according to Boulder police. The attack was directed at the Boulder chapter of Run for Their Lives during its weekly walk on the Mall to raise awareness of Israeli hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas.

At Wednesday’s community vigil, organizers said about 1,500 people registered to attend the event.

Speakers included Gov. Jared Polis, Boulder Run for Their Lives organizer Rachel Amaru, Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest Israel Bachar and local Jewish clergy members. The program also included several readings, prayers and songs, ending with one sung by all the participants.

Jonathan Lev, executive director of the Jewish Community Center, said the night was “all about heart” and asked elected officials, then clergy and finally all the participants to stand.

“This is what our sacred community looks like,” he said. “This is what it looks like to come together.”

Rachelle Halpern, a longtime participant in the Sunday Run for Their Lives walks, said she found solace in the walks from being with people with whom she didn’t need to explain how she felt after the hostages were taken.

“We became a family,” she said.

She said she thought the man carrying what looked like pesticide was strange to see on a Sunday, but didn’t seem dangerous. Then suddenly, she said, there was a crash, a ball of fire, smoke and “for a moment I thought I would go up in flames.”

While she wasn’t physically hurt, she added, “I don’t know what it would do to my heart long term.”