We share in the profound joy and relief felt across Israel and the Jewish world as the final 20 living hostages return home after 738 days and are reunited with their families. For two years, we have carried them in our hearts, held space for them in our communities, and kept their names on our lips.
Masorti Prayer of Thanks (Hebrew & English)
As we celebrate their freedom, we also pray for their physical and spiritual healing. And we mourn those hostages who were murdered, send comfort to their bereaved families, and pray that all of their bodies will soon be returned for proper burial and honor.
This moment reflects Israel’s commitment to the enduring Jewish value of Pidyon Shvuyim—the redemption of captives—our sacred duty to do all we can to bring our people home.
We are grateful to President Donald Trump and to the many leaders and negotiators whose efforts made this possible. While we know there are many challenges ahead, may this moment mark the beginning of a new era in which Israelis and Palestinians alike move beyond the war of the past two years and live with security and dignity.
As we welcome home these beloved souls and conclude the holiday of Sukkot, we recall the prayer we recite each evening, “Ufros aleinu sukkat sh’lomekha – May You spread over us Your canopy of peace.”