On Monday, October 13, the Richmond Jewish Community joined with Jewish groups across the world to welcome the return of Israel’s 20 remaining living hostages two years after Hamas started the war with its invasion and massacre in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

For 738 days, 48 out of 250 people kidnapped from Israel were held in captivity by Hamas terrorists, in horrific conditions.  
“Today is a day of hope and, we pray, the beginning of healing for the hostages, their families and all of Israel,” the Jewish Federations of North America said in a statement.

“Through 18 major Jewish holidays and 105 Shabbat dinners, Jewish families in Israel and around the world had empty chairs at our tables, yellow ribbons on our lapels, and fractures in our hearts. Each of those 1 million minutes was filled with anguish and uncertainty — wondering if the hostages would live or die, knowing that the Jewish people were incomplete without them.”