Nearly 100 people gathered in Highland Park on Route 27 at the entrance to town on Thursday, August 1, to mark 300 days that hostages kidnapped on October 7 are still being held in Gaza by Hamas. The rally was sponsored by Central Jersey Stands With Israel. Attendees braved the extreme heat and humidity and came with Israeli and American flags, hostage signs and banners, and wearing T-shirts with Jewish/Israeli themes. Passing cars showed their support by honking their horns and waving.
The same day that American citizens held by Russia were released, Craig and Hanina Hanoch of Highland Park came to show their support for Israel and advocate for the release of the hostages. Recently returned from a visit to Israel, John Kovac of Highland Park was there to remind passersby that the hostages in Gaza are still being held and that several are American citizens as well.
As a child of Holocaust survivors, East Brunswick’s Molly Kaplan noted, “It is appalling that the hostages have been held for 300 days and the world is doing nothing to bring their release.”
Rabbi Esther Reed, chief experience officer at Rutgers Hillel, carried a sign for Israeli-American hostage Keith Samuel. She had met his nephew at Hostage Square while on a mission to Israel and felt it was meaningful to advocate for his support.
