I am sure you, like us, are filled with emotion after seeing the 20 living hostages returned home to Israel and their families.
We continue to pray for the imminent return of the remaining hostages and 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 look forward to the full implementation of this ceasefire deal and pray for peace in the Middle East.
We prayed for the day when the hostages would be returned and the fighting, which endured for 738 days, through 105 Shabbats, and 18 major Jewish holidays would cease. We did so along with our Tidewater Jewish community, with the Jewish people around the world, and with our friends and allies locally and globally.
Not only have we prayed but we have also advocated together, marched together, and raised funds together to meet the humanitarian and emergency needs of our Israeli family– klal Yisrael, we are one people responsible for one another.
In addition, as Jewish Federations of North America said in a statement on Monday, Oct. 13, “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.”
Let’s all continue to pray for healing and peace.
Am Yisrael Chai,
Mona Flax, President
Betty Ann Levin, Executive Vice President/CEO
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater