Today, we rejoice as the 20 living hostages that were taken during the horrific attacks on October 7, 2023 come home to their loved ones. The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas celebrates this long-awaited moment of relief and joy, standing in solidarity with the families and the people of Israel.
“We have mourned the barbarism of October 7. We have wept, embraced, and stood shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Israel and here at home. We have rallied together, raising vital funds to help our partners on the ground bring comfort, healing, and hope to those in pain. And now, we rejoice: twenty living hostages have returned home. Their freedom is a beacon of resilience and a testament to our collective strength,” said Robert French, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas.
“Yet even in this moment of celebration, we know our work is not done. We remain committed to justice, to combatting antisemitism and hatred of all kinds, and to healing,” he added.
For 737 days, 49 of the original 250 Israelis taken hostage by Hamas have been held in captivity in horrific conditions.
Through 18 major Jewish holidays and 105 Shabbat dinners, Jewish families in Israel and around the world had empty chairs at their tables, yellow ribbons on their lapels, and fractures in their 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.
We welcome the long-awaited return of: Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Elkana Bohbot, Rom Braslavski, Nimrod Cohen, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Segev Kalfon, Bar Kupershtein, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel, Avinatan Or, and Matan Zangauker.
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 1,152 soldiers who died as they fought 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.