A Sigh of Relief

On Wednesday, during a dramatic and emotional ceremony marking the return of the last Israeli captive, the body of fallen police officer Ran Gvili, the digital jumbotron towering over Hostage Square was frozen at 843 days, 12 hours, 5 minutes, and 59 seconds. There was no cathartic cheer, no sense of victory. What filled the square instead was something heavier and quieter—a collective exhale, the release that comes not with joy, but with the end of unbearable waiting.

That paragraph is part of an article in this week’s ARZA newsletter entitled The Last Hostage, by Rabbi Josh Weinberg.

Ever since October 7, 2023, we have all been collectively holding our breath, watching as so many families dealt with the trauma of lost and hostage family members.

We, at Solel, like Jewish communities around the world, were in the midst of celebrating Simchat Torah that day. It was just one week after we had launched our Solel@50 celebrations with a delightful Sukkot service and luncheon.

Now, we were all collectively saddened and afraid, not knowing what would happen next in Israel, in Gaza, or here at home. We came together to find sanctuary and community at Solel. A time to be with each other and to pray that soon the hostages would be home and a way forward could be found for one and all.

As we know, it has taken over two years to bring us to this point when all of the families were reunited with their loved ones. Some who walked out of captivity and are now going through major rehabilitation of both body and mind, and others who came home just to be laid to rest.

While there is still much work to be done, here are my wishes that we can find a way to work together and create a safe space for all.

Kein yehi ratzon, May it be G-d’s will

Ruth Ostrower

Filed under: President's Message

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