Israel at War | We call for the immediate release of the hostages

As we approach the 100th day since Hamas' brutal attack on Israel, MERCAZ and Masorti Olami reaffirm their commitment to help free the 136 hostages still held by the terrorist group and support their families, and appeal to the mitzvah of Pidion Shvuim (פִּדְיוֹן שְׁבוּיִים - literally: redemption of captives), so that the situation remains the priority of the Government of Israel.

We demand the release of all hostages – men, women, children and the elderly – and call on our Masorti/Conservative communities around the world to continue to support the civilians and soldiers abducted and their families, and to increase diplomatic efforts and international support to secure their immediate release.

As we continue to hold on to our hope, MERCAZ and Masorti Olami Executive Director Rabbi Mauricio Balter reminds us: "Biyahad nenatzeach, together we will win. Israel cannot afford to lose a war. In the words of Golda Meir to Henry Kissinger during the Yom Kippur War, Israel has a secret weapon that will allow it to win the war. 'We have nowhere else to go.' I would like to add the word 'rak' biyahad nenatzeach, only together we will win! You and us, all the Jewish people together".

We've listed ways you can join us in our efforts to help bring our people home. See below.

❱❱ Donate to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.

The initiative, formed by the families of the abductees less than 24 hours after the October 7th attack, offers families holistic medical and emotional support as well as professional assistance, and advances the ongoing efforts locally, regionally and globally, to bring the hostages and the missing back home.

Donations are directed towards advancing all necessary efforts through diplomatic, medical and legal channels and towards raising public awareness to the hostage crisis by creating campaigns in Israel and abroad.

→ https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/donate

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❱❱ Know the hostages and share their stories to help increase diplomatic efforts and international support to help save them.

→ https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/

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❱❱ 100 Days of Captivity – Raising Global Awareness – Bring Hersh Home

The family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is among the hostages, is promoting peaceful actions and gatherings to pressure Hamas to release the hostages and obey the rules of war.

You can learn more about it at bit.ly/BringHershHome, follow the campaign 'Bring Hersh Home' on social media, and support his family to keep him and the other hostages' plight before the public eye and encourage strong action toward their release.

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❱❱ Sign the petition 'Urgent Call for Immediate Action: Release of the Hostages Held by Hamas'.

→ https://lp.bringthemhomenow.net/petition

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❱❱ Email your local representatives (for US citizens only) urging their support in securing the release.

→ https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/speak-up

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❱❱ Post official materials and verified news on your social media and make friends and family aware of the situation, calling for the immediate release of the hostages.

→ Media assets about the civilian hostages: https://media.bringthemhomenow.net/

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❱❱ Buy products from the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.

→ From Israel: https://shop.bringthemhomenow.net/

→ From the US: https://solidarity.bringthemhomenow.net/

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❱❱ Join local events to strengthen and support the families and to demand the immediate release of the hostages.

USA

• Demonstration to mark the 100th day that the hostages have been in captivity and demand their release. With the support of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

January 12 at 9:00 am in NYC in front of the UN

→ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=797182125782059

ISRAEL

• Tu Bishvat Seder at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square with songs and prayers for the hostages safe return and for the restoration and healing of the State of Israel. Organized by the Masorti Movement In Israel.

January 24 at 5:30 PM

→ https://fb.me/e/1xvqRlFFh

• 100 Days in Hell - A 24 Hours Rally. The assembly in support of the families of the hostages will be held beginning Saturday night, January 13th, at 8:00 PM until Sunday, January 14th, at 8:00 PM at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv.

→ https://www.instagram.com/p/C148IZHNFBT/