Upon my return to the airport this evening, I made a final but meaningful stop to visit my daughter Tzipora who lives in Tel Aviv. She graciously guided me to an extraordinary site just outside the Tel Aviv Museum—an impromptu shrine that has drawn thousands of individuals together in a collective display of solidarity and prayer for the captives. The photos I have shared fail to properly capture the feeling that one has when standing in this sacred place. In this otherwise unremarkable location, hundreds of broken hearts simultaneously converge, united in their shared grief.
Among the various powerful displays, such as empty chairs, vacant Shabbat tables, and unoccupied beds, one can’t help but be profoundly moved by the outpouring of human creativity, all born from a profound sense of sorrow and a yearning for deliverance. Yet, above all else, it’s the names that truly leave an indelible mark. Each name accompanied by a picture, an age, and a story. While undoubtedly cherished by their families and friends, these individuals might seem distant to many of us. Still, it’s crucial to acknowledge that we are each, in all likelihood, no more than a single degree of separation from any of these hostages. The unfortunate, but important, reality is that singular degree is enough to subtly blunt our pain.
As I slowly walked around this “exhibit,” it became increasingly clear to me that I must attempt to forge a deeper connection with these names. In the days to come, I hope to explore with you how we can collectively achieve this. Connecting through a name is one of the most profound ways to bridge this gap. Numbers and statistics may fall short in conveying the gravity of a situation, but names resonate with meaning.
I am reminded at this time of the Holocaust Museum in Yerushalayim, aptly named “Yad V’Shem,” which translates to “A Hand and a Name.” It draws inspiration from a pasuk in Yeshayahu (56:5), where the prophet promises, ונתתי להם בביתי ובחומתי יד ושם “I will give them, in My House and within My walls, a monument and name.” In this divine promise, Hashem ensures that His devoted people will never be forgotten, each receiving a cherished “name.”
We are all entrusted with the awesome responsibility of holding on to the names of the 239 captives as we fervently pray for their safe return. Let us, as the prophet foretold, hold each of them in our hearts and thoughts, not as mere statistics, but as cherished names.
To Whom It May Concern 