Shabbat shalom, everyone. I am intentionally writing this blog post in two parts, and I think you will understand why after you finish experiencing the day through my words and photos. As I woke up this morning there was a strange anticipation to this day, as this evening we have the honor of going to Hostage Square and meeting with the brother of current hostage Keith Siegel. This is one moment we have all been waiting to experience as we bear witness to what has happened in Israel and what is happening currently as the hostages begin an unthinkable 10th month in captivity.
But before we face the reality that Keith Siegel’s brother experiences each day, we have a meaningful Shabbat morning filled with activities to experience. We left the hotel at 9 am (it was great to sleep in a bit this Shabbat) and headed for our morning service in Jaffa. What a stunning place to share prayer time with colleagues and friends.
Following this we had a briefing from IMPJ (Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism), the reform movement in Israel. We heard from Anna Kislanski, the CEO of IMPJ and David Bernstein, the Deputy Director, Development and Overseas Relations. Anna started by telling us IPMJ’s story on October 6, when they went to sleep and what they woke up to. She shared how in the south, in the Gaza envelope, kibbutzim that the IPMJ supports and where there are reform communities were hit. She shared how since their residents were evacuated all over the country, their rabbi spends most of her time in the car driving from place to place to counsel her congregants. She, too, was evacuated from her home and has moved 8 times in the last 9 months. We listened with our hearts open to hear more of what it was like to be in Israel on October 7.
“And…”
We also learned about the strides the reform movement is making in Israel. Once mostly ignored and ridiculed, now there are 54 IMPJ congregations throughout Israel. This is quite the expansion. We learned that they are continuing to plan to further expand, that people now know the reform movement and they are growing and gaining more strength. Anna expressed her gratitude for us being there (a common theme on this mission), that our presence means a lot to them. We also learned how we can connect with an IMPJ congregation and create connections.
We then were treated to a concert of sorts by Maya Raviv. To be quite honest, I was not expecting much from this concert except to be able to listen to some beautiful music. I had no idea the power of what we were about to experience.
Maya asked us to get into a comfortable position in our seats. This was quite an impossible task because I was sitting in a very uncomfortable wooden chair. What followed was a meditative session where Maya helped us on a journey from grief to healing to finally ending on gratitude. Maya has done extensive work with grieving families, and I can see how she could help them through this process with her music. Maya asked us take deep breaths and close our eyes and absorb the meaning of the prayers coming through her incredible music. Almost instantly I forgot about my discomfort sitting in the chair and the next hour flew by. There was one moment during one of her prayers where, seemingly out of nowhere the Muslim call to prayer began being played on the loud speakers outside where we were in Jaffa. The sound of Maya’s music and the beautiful call to prayer were sometimes dissonant “and” sometimes totally in harmony. What an “and” moment.
As Maya was introducing our final section which was finding gratitude she shared that she had friends, a family that were kidnapped into Gaza, two children age 8 and 4 and their parents. After the children and the mother were released they shared with Maya that as they were putting their children to sleep, they could feel the prayers coming to them from Israel. They could feel that they were not alone and that people were holding them. That was a source of gratitude for them. And while the father is still being held captive in Gaza, we hoped our prayers would reach to him and he would feel us holding him during these difficult days. What an “and” situation to be in, being a hostage “and” finding gratitude. There is always something to be grateful for. For this family they were grateful each day that they survived. If they can practice gratitude in this way, in these conditions, we can raise our level of gratitude as well.
By the way, Maya also thanked us for our presence, even though it was us who should be thanking her for the gifts she gave to us.
And now onto the events of this evening. I am still trying to process all of the emotions felt and depths of solidarity I feel with Israel, and, as strange as it sounds, the connection I feel to the souls still held by Hamas, 274 days after they were kidnapped. 274. It is unthinkable.
Before we went to Hostage Square (Kikar Hachatufim), we first went to Hostage Headquarters. Let that sink in for a moment. There is a place in Israel called Hostage Headquarters. How sad that in our world there needs to be a place like this.
We settled into theatre style seats and were introduced to Lee Siegel. Lee was there to share the story of his brother, Keith. Lee first told us that since October 7, he no longer uses the words “thank you.” Instead, he expressed his appreciation for us being there, saying it meant a lot to him that we identify with his family in a strong way.
We learned that his family was from North Carolina and Lee made Aliyah in 1976. His brother, Keith, moved to Israel in 1980 and settled in kibbutz Kfar Aza. Keith is a citizen of both Israel and the United States and he celebrated his 65 birthday back on May 8. Sadly, his birthday was not a celebration he could have with his family as Keith was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 along with his wife, Aviva.
On October 7, Keith and Aviva were awakened at 6:30 am with the rocket sirens. This was a sound they were used to, sadly, and given their proximity to Gaza where the rockets would be fired from, they only had seconds to get into their safe room. Keith left his phone in his bedroom. He and his wife knew pretty quickly that this time, things were different. Keith and Aviva have a 40 year old son, who was in a different part of the kibbutz on October 7 and would not be rescued by the army for 36 hours. They also have daughters who live up in the north.
Lee explained to us that it took 36 hours for them to learn that Keith and Aviva were not at home. His cell phone was found in Gaza, but that did not mean much. They learned that Keith and Aviva were kidnapped when their neighbor came forward and told Lee that they had witnessed Hamas terrorists placing Keith and Aviva into Keith’s car at gunpoint. Turns out Hamas also posted a video of the abduction.
On day 47, a deal was struck that would bring about a ceasefire for 7 days. Each of these days Hamas would share a list of hostages they would release and Israel would share a list of convicted terrorists they would release, as long as the ceasefire held. On day 4, 51 days after being taking hostage, Aviva’s name was on the list and she was released. Sadly, the ceasefire ended after 6 days when Hamas fired rockets again, and the Israeli government chose to go back to war. Was Keith’s name going to be on the list for day 7?
When Aviva was released, she had no idea that her son had survived. He could have easily been killed or taken hostage himself. Imagine being held hostage and not knowing if your child survived the very same attack that you faced? And imagine if for 51 days you had no idea? You can imagine the fear and pain Aviva must have felt. Now imaging if on day 274 you still had no idea? Unthinkable to think what Keith might be feeling.
Aviva shared with Lee and the rest of the family that their captors told them that there was no more Kfar Aza and that they would not be able to go back to Israel. They showed them the destruction brought on Gaza by the IDF and said that this is what Hamas did to Kfar Aza. During her 51 days of captivity they were moved around 8 times, and held both in homes and tunnels. She shared that they were always being held together. She explained that the war was intense, and, one day they had to leave where they were being held because they received a warning shot from the IDF that told them that if they did not leave in minutes their place of captivity would be destroyed. They were taken to a tunnel, but there was no time to take enough oxygen to sustain them, so they had to be moved again.
Lee shared that 5 weeks ago Keith appeared in a video (it was widely viewed online) where this 65 year old man looked to be 85. And that is the only sign of life from Keith that they have seen.
He passed around this poster for all to get a good look at Keith.
Lee shared that Aviva, only two weeks after being released was on a plane to Washington DC as a part of a delegation that met with President Biden at the White House, and the family has interacted with Secretary of State Antony Blinken so often that Blinken knows him by name. He said that he feels that the United States is working day and night to get Keith and the remaining hostages released. But to quote Lee, “It takes two to dance.” And he explained that it complicates things when the two that have to dance are Sinwar, “who dances in his tunnels,” and Netanyahu who “dances in one of his three houses.”
Lee shared that most Israelis feel that this war is causing too much death and destruction in both Israel and Gaza and the war needs to be finished through diplomacy. He said that there seems to be a window of opportunity now, but he hesitates to get too optimistic because there was a similar opportunity in April, with the stumbling block being the prime minister. Lee explained that Israel went to war for revenge, and that was understandable. But there was no real plan, and Netanyahu’s goal is more about eliminating Hamas and less about freeing the hostages. And the majority of the hostage families want their loved ones to be the priority. They want them home now, not after a rescue from the army that would cost more Israeli lives.
Lee has talked with countless groups (we learned that all of the reform solidarity missions that the IMPV organized has had groups talk with Lee). His strength and courage was inspiring. When asked what we can do to help his answer was simple. The message has to bear delivered to every corner in our government and in Israel to get the hostages out now.
“AND…”
I was taken with the fact that given all Lee and his family has been through, and the anger he would rightfully have towards Hamas, he still chooses to see the humanity in the Palestinians. And in an even bigger “AND” moment, he shared that even Aviva says that there are people in Gaza and they deserve to live in peace. What an example we can all strive to achieve in our lives - finding humanity in even the most difficult moments.
Following this meaningful conversation Lee walked us out to the location we would be sharing Havdallah publicly. We made our way through the crowds to Hostage Square joining family from other hostages and thousands of people who would join us.
Havdallah means separation, and with this ritual we say farewell to the holiness of Shabbat and begin the not-yet-holiness of the rest of the week.
AND…
This Havdallah was different, because we were marking the 274th day of separation for these families who yearn to wrap their arms around their loved ones once again. The idea of separation hit us in our core and we were in tears as we shared songs in solidarity with our Israeli brother and sisters. Then they lit and handed out countless Havdallah candles to the crowd. Remember, that a Havdallah candle is many candles braided together who, when lit, create a much stronger and more powerful flame than a single candle can.
We shed many tears as we sang together, hoping the power of these flames could reach Keith and the rest of the hostages being held, who would experience another week where they could not participate in Havdallah.
AND…
Last night, I shared that we sang Eili Eili as there sun set on the Mediterranean Sea, a powerful moment that ushered in Shabbat. Tonight, we sang Eili Eili at Hostage Square, with the families of the hostages and thousands of supporters who were there to participate in Havdallah and the rally demanding the release of the hostages. Last night, it was a moment filled with peace and beauty and today, it was filled with pain and tears. Sometimes it is hard to be in an “and” world.
Here are a couple of photos of the free the hostages rally.
While I couldn’t understand much of the Hebrew, there was a word I did understand, “achshav,” which means now. It was a word that was uttered again and again, and I proudly joined in with the rest of the crowd yelling this word with my heart open.
As we walked out of the protest I saw this display.
Looking at this precious baby the word “achshav” takes on a new meaning.
I did get to say hello to my good friend, Uri at the rally. He was there with his wife, Meryl. After I gave her a hug, she, of course, thanked me for being there. I told her that “I stand with you.” Uri was quick to correct me. “You don’t stand with us. You are us.”
Ani Yisraeil. I am Israel.
Am Yisraeil Chai.
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