The Hostages Held By Hamas Must Come Home

 A month has passed since the horrific massacre of Oct 7^th, 2023, in Israel.

Yesterday a dear woman asked me” What has it been like for you this past month.”

I replied with no hesitation” Like it is Oct 7^th every day.”.

A month has passed since the horrific massacre of Oct 7^th, 2023, in Israel.

For me, every day feels like it is still Oct. 7^th.

My days have no names,

Sunday, Tuesday they are all mixed into one day, Saturday, that black Saturday.

In the Jewish faith, we have very precise traditions when it comes to mourning.

Amongst them is something called the Shloshim, the 30th day after the loss of a loved one.

Yet, like so many Israelis and Jews, I feel as if I am sitting in an endless Shiva the 7 day mourning period after death.

And yet somehow the rest of the world has moved on.

As a Jewish Israeli-American, while I was still attempting to hold the grief, pain, and terror, Antisemitism came knocking at my door.

The world has permitted antisemitism, and hatred of Jews, to have a platform, one that we have not seen since Nazi Germany.

This began just days after the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

As a Jewish Israeli-American, while I was attempting to hold the new grief, pain, and terror, Antisemitism came knocking at my door.

Scenes that had occurred during the Nazi regime were now happening in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia.

I am and have been a peace activist for 50 years.

Just as most of the people that were slaughtered were.  As well as those taken hostage on Oct 7^th.

I have worked closely with Palestinians, together hoping to bring peace to both people.

It has been my life mission, hoping my children and grandchildren would play side by side with Palestinians.

However, when civilian Jews are attacked around the world just because they are Jews it is not bringing peace or freedom to anyone.

Although, I am a proud Jew and Israeli I am mostly a proud human.

I am on the side of humanity.

I am out giving voice to those that cannot be heard.

As a spiritual counselor, I know how hard it can be to build resilience.

I myself have struggled this last month between moments of enormous heartbreak and moments of strength.

When someone tells me they are feeling helpless I suggest going out and doing.

Turn helplessness to helpfulness.

It builds up resilience.

So, I listened to my own advice.

I am out giving voice to those that cannot be heard.

In the name of the many precious whole families that were tortured and slaughtered.

And the precious hostages that are being held by Hamas terrorists.

Among those sitting in the dark underground tunnels of Gaza is my dear friend Vivian Silver.

I run weekly in Central Park for the Family Forum of Hostages and Missing.

And rally a few times a week for the release of over 240 hostages.

Amongst them 30 children who have forgotten what sunlight looks like.

As I close my eyes, I hear her voice whisper:Don’t give up on peace.

I listen to those who still have hope that this horrific time will end.

My heart hears their strong faith that peace is possible.

Evil will lose and love will win.

Through the heavy fog of grief and sorrow, I must still believe.

Every night as I enter my bed, I softly say goodnight to my friend Vivian.

I let her know that we are not giving up, we will bring them all home.

As I close my eyes, I hear her voice whisper:

Don’t give up on peace.

There are 242 precious souls being held hostage by Hamas.

 Among them is my dear friend VIVIAN SILVER. 

I know they want us to keep our smile alive for when they return.