In December of 2023 1,000 Israelis joined together at the Caesarea Amphitheatre, including some with family members who were being held hostage by Hamas Terrorists to record this powerful and inspiring song, “HaBayta – Coming Home“. Written in 1983 by Ehud Manor during the First Lebanon War, the words resonated throughout Israel these past two painful years.

“Home - Home. It is time to return…From the mountains. From foreign fields. The day fades and there is no sign…Until the break of dawn I pray for your wellbeing. Caught in the handcuffs of fears I hear steps, Home, home (HaBayta) Because we still haven’t gotten what was promised to us so long ago.”

Click below to see the uplifting video.

FALLEN SOLDIERS|VICTIMS OF TERROR

WE REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF TERROR WHOM WE HAVE LOST IN ISRAEL AND WERE RETURNED HOME THIS WEEK

The bodies of the following 2 hostages who were returned home have been identified:

Inbar Haiman, 27, a visual communications student from Haifa murdered by terrorists at the Nova music festival near Re’im on October 7, 2023

Muhammad al-Atrash, 39, a father of 13 from Sa’wa who served as a tracker in the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade, was killed on October 7 and his body was abducted to Gaza.

U.S. advisers vowed: 'We will not leave until everybody comes home.' 

CLICK HERE to read their stories

MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR A BLESSING

THIS WEEK IN ISRAEL

Today Israel is observing a national day of remembrance for those who perished in the Swords of Iron from the October 7th massacre and on. The Knesset lowered its flags in recognition of the day.

A blog post from ZRC Board Member, Rabbi Neal Katz:

Today is a day of light. After two long years, all of the living hostages have been returned to Israel. Some of the murdered have also been brought home, and there will be an international effort in the coming weeks to recover more. Even in our joy, we remember.

After months of praying, shouting and waiting, we have reached our dream, 5 ways to mark this moment

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Hostages have begun sharing details from their time in Hamas captivity

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For an enduring peace, anti-Zionism must end. Israel’s story is not one of conquest, but of return. Not of tyranny, but of freedom. Not of empire, but of endurance.

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OF INTEREST TO RABBIS

Don't Miss Out on the ZRC Mission to Azerbaijan and Israel - For Rabbis Only - November 10 – 18

• Explore Azerbaijan's Jewish life, interfaith relations, and the country’s special relationship with Israel from Nov 10-16
• Visit Israel Nov. 16–18 to experience the latest developments on the ground and engage in meaningful dialogue about Israel and the Jewish future with leaders.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register

Thanks to Rabbi David Gelfand for sharing with us the following by Orly Erez-Likhovski of the Israel Religious Action Center

“How do you miss someone you’ve never met? Today, with the release of the last 20 living hostages, my heart overflowed with gratitude with joy, with immense relief that this day has finally come, the day with the hostages we became so deeply connect to, who became part of our lives, are finally returning home.” 

And a poem by Rabbi Oded Mazo of Kol HaNeshama in Jerusalem:

In the days when each hour collides with the next,

We have no choice but to cry and to laugh with the same eyes,

To mourn and to dance at the same time.

The long arc of history is compressed into one day and one hour.

We ask for the strength to contain the intensity of our bursting heart:

To rejoice with those who will be able to embrace today,

To enfold all of those leaning into their longing, souls trembling.

To hold onto hope without letting go,

And to leave some quiet space for a silent scream.

Please, grant us the room to shatter into pieces,

And the spirit to be rebuilt anew.

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