Jewish Federations of North America 1.19.25

 

Celebrating the Release of Romi, Emily, and Doron

Today we are experiencing emotions that are at once both ancient and modern. As the first three hostages – Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher – have been released from captivity, the entire Jewish people in every corner of the world are joined today as if we are one body and soul, so connected to each other that we can feel the emotions surging between us. This unity of the Jewish people is as old as the patriarchs and the matriarchs. It is what we felt at the foot of Mt. Sinai, and how we felt at the birth of the State of Israel. We celebrate as one, and we mourn as one. May we never lose that connection to each other.

What is modern is that we are not only following the fate of our sisters and their families in Israel with our hearts, but we are able to follow it minute by minute, in real time, on social media, on TV news, by receiving pictures and video, and by being able to text with loved ones and friends we know. While social media has many negative effects, and has helped drive the demonization of Israel and the rise of antisemitism, today we are grateful for the intimacy. And we are grateful as well for the skilled medical professionals and institutions that will care for our released hostages.

Yesterday, in synagogue, we read the beginning of the Book of Exodus, which is also the beginning of the story of the greatest leader of the Jewish people, Moses. The first thing that God says to Moses at the burning bush is, “take off your shoes, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Our sages rightly wondered why God was anxious for Moses to remove his shoes. One of the many answers is that, when you are barefoot, you feel all the pebbles and sticks and needles lying on the ground – in other words, you feel the pain that those who have no choice but to walk without shoes are feeling.

We all feel the pain that Romi, Emily, Doron and all the others have experienced. We join together in praying that they will all be released. We know that this is not the end of this terrible chapter in Jewish history, and there is much more to come and much more for us to do. But, for now, we are overcome with emotion to see the first three to be released reach holy ground.

Julie Platt, Chair
Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO