On Monday, May 19 at The Frisch School in Paramus, Ben Porat Yosef (BPY) in collaboration with Frisch hosted family members of the hostages still held in Gaza for a powerful event. The hostage families’ visit was the largest assembly of hostage families in the United States since Oct. 7.

The evening began with remarks by Rabbi Saul Zucker, head of school of BPY, and Rabbi Eli Ciner, principal of Frisch. Both Rabbi Zucker and Rabbi Ciner emphasized to the representatives that we, the American Jewish community, are with the families and feel their anguish and pain. It was clear that both rabbis wanted the families to know that Jews and supporters of Israel around the world have not forgotten their loved ones and are praying and using their voices to ensure the hostages are returned home immediately.

The first family representative to speak was Ofir Sharabi, the daughter of Yossi Sharabi, whose body is being held captive. Only 14 at the time, Ofir told the heart-wrenching story of what her family endured at their home in Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7. Ofir’s bravery and courage was palpable as she retold her family story and the last time she saw her father alive. She encouraged those in attendance to continue fighting to return all the hostages home now because time is running out.

Next to speak was Doris Liber. Doris was born in New York and spoke about her son, Guy Illouz. Guy, a young musician from Raanana, went with five carloads of friends to the Nova music festival where he was kidnapped to Gaza. Unfortunately, only one car returned with those who survived. A hostage that was released informed Doris that Guy died in Gaza from injuries he sustained on Oct. 7. His body still remains in captivity and Doris continues to plead for his return so she can finally be close to her son.

Dana Milo, the niece of Gad Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai, both Americans who were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz, told about her family’s story and the days they waited until they found out that both had been murdered on Oct. 7. She emphasized the need for closure for their family and to ensure Gad and Judi’s dignity and that they be buried in their homeland.

More family members shared with the audience the heart-breaking and heroic stories of those still being held captive in Gaza. They emphasized the amazing qualities of kindness and strength of their loved ones. The audience heard from mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, children, aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews asking those in attendance to do everything in their power, through activism and prayer, to return every last hostage home.

The Jewish Link had the privilege to sit down with Meirav Tal, a released hostage, who also spoke during the program. Meirav is fighting for the release of her partner, Yair Yaakov (nicknamed Yaya), who was killed on Oct. 7 and whose body is still held captive in Gaza. Both Meirav and Yaya, as well as his two sons, Yagil and Or, were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Yagil and Or were released in a ceasefire deal on Nov. 27, 2023. She told The Jewish Link that being in Gaza is like being in gehenum and others just cannot understand the situation she went through. Given what she experienced, she knows that the hostages must be returned now and that every moment that they are still in Gaza is one moment too long.

Meirav also discussed how difficult many feel about returning to the kibbutz. Although it was home and many feel strongly about rebuilding this once vibrant and beautiful kibbutz, she does not see herself ever returning to the place from where she and her loved ones were kidnapped.

When Meirav spoke to the audience, her message was clear: We must stay united and help support one another to ensure every last hostage comes home.

The program also included a moving speech of unity and strength by Yaakov Hagoel, the head of the World Zionist Organization, prayers for the return of the hostages and for the safety of our chayalim, a song by the BPY choir and Hatikvah, which was sung loudly and proudly by the attendees in the packed auditorium.

The hostage families sat on the stage wearing shirts and holding posters with names and photos that have become too familiar to those in the Jewish community. They came to the United States with a clear message: Bring them home now. Those in the audience listened to their stories and hoped their presence sent a clear message to the families: We feel your pain and are doing everything we can to bring them home now.