Today, the remaining 20 living hostages were released and will soon be reunited with their loved ones in Israel. These precious people, along with all of those affected by 10/7 and the war, must now embark on the difficult path to healing. I have no doubt each of the 20 released hostages have incredible stories of strength and perseverance, which I am confident we will hear about in the coming days and weeks.
One of the men released, Bar Kupershtein, has a unique connection to our community. Bar is from Holon, Israel, which happens to be Dayton’s Sister City. We have been following his family’s story for the last year, and we will continue to share their remarkable achievements in Bar’s absence and his long-awaited return to his family.
You can read about Bar’s story, as well as a recent statement from Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), on our Facebook page and on our website jewishdayton.org. We have also included JFNA’s statement below.
We are incredibly thankful for the safe return of the remaining living hostages. Let us continue to pray for the families of the deceased hostages that their loved ones’ remains be returned home soon.
Jewish Federations rejoice as 20 living hostages return home to Israel
Today is a day of hope and, we pray, the beginning of healing for the hostages, their families and all of Israel.
For 738 days, 48 out of 250 people kidnapped from Israel have been held in captivity by Hamas terrorists, in horrific conditions.
Through 18 major Jewish holidays and 105 Shabbat dinners, Jewish families in Israel and around the world had empty chairs at our tables, yellow ribbons on our lapels, and fractures in our hearts.
Each of those 1 million minutes was filled with anguish and uncertainty — wondering if the hostages would live or die, knowing that the Jewish people were incomplete without them.
Today we rejoice as the 20 surviving hostages come home to their loved ones and finally fill the empty chairs at our tables and begin mending our broken hearts. Jewish Federations across North America and Jews everywhere celebrate this long-awaited moment of relief and joy, standing in solidarity with the families and the people of Israel.
We welcome the long-awaited return of:
- Matan Angrest
- Gali Berman
- Ziv Berman
- Elkana Bohbot
- Rom Braslavski
- Avinatan Or
- Yosef-Haim Ohana
- Alon Ohel
- Evyatar David
- Guy Gilboa-Dalal
- Omri Miran
- Eitan Mor
- Segev Kalfon
- Nimrod Cohen
- Maxim Herkin
- Eitan Horn
- Bar Kupershtein
- Matan Zangauker
- Ariel Cunio
- David Cunio
We also mourn the indelible loss of 28 people who faced down Hamas with heroism and bravery but did not survive captivity, whose bodies are expected to return home in the coming hours and days. We pray for their families and loved ones to be able to give them the proper burial they deserve. May they be comforted among all the mourners of Zion.
We honor the resilience of the hostages and their families and continue to pray for all whose lives have been shattered by terror. They built their cause into a social movement that has garnered support across the globe and never wavered.
We also take this moment to recognize the enormous sacrifice and service of Israel’s soldiers and their families, who put their time, their economic wellbeing, their bodies, and their lives on the line to protect Israel during this horrific period. We mourn the loss of 915 soldiers who died as they fought successfully to get the hostages home and defeat Israel’s enemies.
We are grateful to President Trump and his negotiators whose tireless efforts made this day possible.
May this moment mark the beginning of comfort and renewal for the people of Israel and the Jewish people everywhere.
