Students gathered yesterday at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center to commemorate and discuss the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

The event was presented by Hillel, a group focused on Jewish community life on campus, and featured four Israeli college students studying in Israel. They spoke about their experiences growing up there, particularly their accounts of the assassination 10 years ago and its implications for today.

"The night that it happened, I heard my neighbors screaming from the balcony, 'Someone shot Rabin,' " said Tali Shechter, one of the students from Tel Aviv University in Israel. "It's a mix of feelings -- it was a shocking thing for the Israeli society."

The four Israeli students are currently touring universities in the United States to promote awareness and understanding of issues relating to Israel as part of The Jewish Agency for Israel and Hagshama Department of the World Zionist Organization.

Rabin, who was known for being both a military general and an advocate for peace, was assassinated on Nov. 4, 1995 by a gunman at a rally in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Rabin was one of the most revered leaders in Israel who was respected for his ability to switch from being a general to being a statesman, said Tuvia Abramson, executive director of Hillel.

"The whole country mourned the death because there was hardly anyone who was not touched by his untimely death," Abramson said. "We will remember peace and the person who fought for the survival of Israel."

Ross Diamond (senior-information sciences and technology), a member of Hillel, said the memorial was a means to reflect upon important historic events and to realize its implications for today.

"He was a man that tried to achieve peace no matter what," Diamond said. "Negotiations, open forums and really trying to solve it with words."

Noam Dinur, another Israeli student studying at Hebrew University in Israel, said the assassination alerted him to religious and secular issues in Israel at the time.

"I was suddenly well aware of what went on around me," he said.

Vicki Korchagin (sophomore-economics), Israel action chair for Hillel, said the memorial was also intended to raise awareness of larger issues, such as the ongoing conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians.

"People have heard of him and don't know exactly what he did," she said, referring to his efforts at creating peace. "I hope that people retain a greater understanding. I hope that they understand that the main goal of this is to strive for peace, because that's the message that's being promoted."

The event was also focused on the similarities and differences between growing up in the United States and growing up in Israel.

"We can give you a glimpse of Israeli society," said Amit Sheniak, another student from Hebrew University.

Sheniak said that although terrorism and car bombings are occurrences in Israel, he doesn't see a security issue that's much worse than here. Walking around New York City can be uncomfortable and intimidating, he added.

"Personally, I don't feel like I'm living in terror," Sheniak said. "It's normal living."

He also added that the give and take between Israeli and American students helps to create an atmosphere of understanding and an exchange of ideas.

"That's probably one of the main ideas -- the fact that we're all students, we all can relate," Sheniak said. "I believe in showing diversity in Israel."

Jeremy Weisblatt (sophomore-Jewish studies) said the panel of students was a great way to become more familiar with the historical and political situation in Israel.

"I think it's important you see it face to face, and it becomes very real because they're close in age range," he said.