This evening (Monday), a Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony took place at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, in a joint event by members of the Kibbutz Movement and the Religious Kibbutz Movement, under the theme “Hanukkah at the Square: Joining Hands to Bring Back the Hostages.”
During the evening, family members of hostages shared from the stage how they cope and what helps them keep the light during dark days. The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Kalman Ber, joined the event and, after being honored with lighting the sixth candle at the square, stated, “It cannot be that we have brothers who are hostages, and we behave as if it’s a normal day. If I have a brother and sister held captive, I need to feel as if I am the one held captive.”
After the candle lighting, participants gathered for the “Between the Voices” event, where family members of hostages shared how they manage to keep the light and hope during this time. The discussion was led by Ayala Minker from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak.
“We are in decisive days for bringing all the hostages home,” said Lior Simcha, Secretary General of the Kibbutz Movement. “The struggle is for all of us, and it is essentially about the character of Israeli society. Because only a great light can illuminate everything.”
