(Courtesy of OU) On April 3, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (Orthodox Union) hand-delivered 180,000 physical letters—all written in the past six days—to the White House demanding the release of hostages from Gaza. The press conference and delivery marked the 180th day of captivity for 130 hostages, including eight Americans.

The letters call on President Joe Biden to support Israel materially and morally in its war to eradicate Hamas, combat antisemitism, and increase pressure to achieve the hostages’ unconditional, immediate release. Read the letter here: https://www.ou.org/180-for-180/

The Orthodox Union was joined by Maurice Shnaider, uncle of Shiri Bibas, who has been held in captivity with her husband, Yarden, and two young children, Ariel and Kfir. Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, shared her emotional plea for her son’s release via video, and University of Maryland student Keren Binyamin spoke about the explosion of antisemitism on college campuses since October 7.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, said: “Today, hundreds of thousands of members and friends of the American Jewish community stood together, asking President Biden for complete and continued moral and material support for Israel’s mission to finish the job of defeating Hamas.”

Nathan Diament, executive director of public policy at the Orthodox Union, expressed gratitude to all participants and emphasized the urgency of ending the hostages’ suffering.

“We are grateful to the 180,000-plus individuals who sent letters to President Biden, joining us in our call for the full-throttle support of Israel in its mission to defeat Hamas. Their involvement underscores the Jewish community’s commitment to supporting Israel and our expectation that President Biden stand with Israel in its mission to eradicate Hamas.”