Dear friends,

I recently returned from a trip to Israel with my good friend and former City Council colleague, Congressman Ritchie Torres, along with our friends from UJA-Federation of NY, and community partners from the congressman’s district. I want to first thank our partners from UJA-Federation of NY for their tremendous support and partnership with JCRC-NY in making this trip possible. 

This trip was very emotional but equally inspiring. We visited Tel Aviv and met with families of hostages, who have worked with volunteers to create an extraordinary support system and network that connects impacted families with much-needed services during these extremely difficult circumstances.

One father shared the painful story of how IDF soldiers uncovered a journal at a location where his 21-year-old son was once held captive. In the journal, his son expressed love for his family but also drew numerous pictures of food--because he was starving. Each family member shared these emotional and heart-wrenching stories, but they also expressed how resolute they remain in the urgent work of bringing their loved ones home. For example, at Hostages Square, a public plaza in Tel Aviv, families and volunteers put together a massive and inspiring Shabbat table lined with chairs equal to the number of hostages still held captive. That table is a powerful daily reminder in a high-volume location that no one will rest until their loved ones are home and at the table with family and friends again.

The next day we visited Kibbutz Nir Oz and the Nova music festival site. Walking in and out of charred and bullet-ridden homes on the kibbutz, witnessing the brutal aftermath of what was once a thriving and vibrant community of over 400 people, and viewing the pictures posted on broken doors of beautiful families that once lived there—all brought me back to excruciating stories from my grandparents that described horrific conditions that they and other Jews endured in the former Soviet Union during the Holocaust and World War II. 

Emotions continued to run high as we traveled to the Nova Music Festival massacre site where we listened to harrowing stories from survivors, mainly college-aged students, who endured so much loss, pain, and trauma for hours during the barbaric attack on the music festival that was originally dedicated to peace and togetherness. One survivor wanted us to know that there were brutal acts of sexual violence committed against women amid the massacre. However, the survivors are bravely turning their pain into purpose by organizing relief and support efforts for survivors and for families that lost loved ones. Their organizing efforts are being led under the bold banner of “We will dance again.”

Our trip also included discussions with Israeli government officials who had varying viewpoints on the path forward, but all were in alignment that the hostages must be immediately released home. We also met with Mansour Abbas, an Israeli Arab elected official who is a member of the Knesset. He strongly and passionately condemned what took place on October 7th and remains steadfast in his support for a two-state solution where all children, families, and seniors in the region can live in peace with security and dignity. During the tail-end of the trip, we received word about the tragic drone bombing in Gaza that led to the death of seven World Central Kitchen workers who were part of an effort to feed civilian families in need, including Palestinians and Israelis, who were impacted by the war. Although the Israeli government took accountability and expressed remorse for its actions, unlike Hamas terrorists who still celebrate their barbaric acts that took place on October 7 which led to this latest war, it undoubtedly underscores the severe humanitarian toll this conflict is having on innocent lives in the region. The actions of world leaders, particularly at this moment, will ultimately be judged by their ability to secure a multi-lateral agreement that results in the immediate release of all hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, and a plan to secure a lasting peace in the region, which includes permanently dismantling Hamas’ military capability. 

I want to close today’s reflection with a note that highlights the remarkable resilience of the Israeli people. All those that we connected with shared in one form or another that they were hurt, but not broken. Bullets can pierce through flesh, but they will never be able to shatter the Israeli spirit. That was evidenced by the largest Shabbat table I have ever seen that is cared for by a large and growing community. That was evidenced by Nova survivors organizing efforts to care for those impacted under a promise they made to each other “to dance again.” That was evidenced by the ordinary citizens who stepped up to help their fellow neighbors in need, regardless of their faith, during the aftermath of some of the darkest hours in Israel’s history.

During my remarks at the JCRC Congressional breakfast back in February, I shared that no one should ever underestimate the strength, the heart, and the resilience of the Jewish people.  I want to close today by doubling down on that assertion. My pride in and connection to my faith, family, and community have never been stronger. We will not rest until all our loved ones are home, living in peace, and Israel thrives again. On that note, please consider joining JCRC, Missing Families Forum, UJA-Federation of NY, and other community partners at the Six Months – Bring Them Home rally this Sunday by E47th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan at noon to show our unwavering solidarity and support to the families of hostages.

Shabbat Shalom.

In solidarity,

Mark Treyger
CEO JCRC-NY