October 13, 2025
Shehecheyanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.
After two years of waiting—738 days filled with pain and loss—today we can finally begin to breathe again. The remaining living hostages are home.
This is truly a moment of profound relief: for their loved ones, for the people of Israel and for the Jewish people everywhere.
We are about to observe Simchat Torah, a day of joy and celebration. Simchat Torah is also the yahrzeit of the 1200 precious lives lost on October 7th. We will always remember them, along with the many IDF soldiers killed in battle defending our people. And we will not forget those still in Gaza, who have yet to return home for a proper burial. Their memory and their sacrifice will forever be a blessing.
Many of us have been to Israel since the war began — to the Gaza Envelope, to Hostage Square, to the site of the Nova Music Festival —and we’ve borne witness to unimaginable devastation. We’ve sat with families waiting for the return of their loved ones, and those grieving for lost children, siblings and parents.
What was most powerful, however, was the incredible resilience of the Israeli people. Their strength, their determination and their love have inspired us all.
For more than two years, we have been in this together. We’ve gathered together, we’ve prayed together and we’ve cried together. Above all, we’ve stood together, never wavering in our faith and our commitment.
And now, together, we can begin to heal.
We can turn our signs from “Bring Them Home” to “Welcome Home.”
We can take off our hostage pins — may we never need to wear these again.
From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the Federation staff here and in Israel, I say THANK YOU Detroit.
Thank you for your support, for your advocacy, and most importantly for your unwavering dedication to Israel.
As the survivors of Nova remind us: We will dance again.
That dance begins today.
Am Yisrael Chai.