On Oct. 7, 2023, our world changed forever. As families in southern Israel celebrated the joyous holiday of Simchat Torah, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, unleashing a brutal attack that left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, nearly all civilians. It was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
Over a year later, 101 hostages remain in captivity, including seven US citizens. These are our neighbors, colleagues and friends. They are children torn from their parents, grandparents separated from their families and foreign nationals who came to Israel as workers or tourists. Some of these hostages, we now know, were murdered by Hamas – yet their bodies are still being held, denying their loved ones even the basic dignity of burial and mourning.
We now bring you their stories. We plan to profile many of the 101 remaining individuals being held by Hamas in Gaza – though we dearly hope they will all come home now, rendering this project unnecessary. Until then, you will learn about their lives, their dreams and the families anxiously awaiting their return. We began with the American hostages, including Itay Chen, Edan Alexander and Omer Neutra, young men whose futures were brutally interrupted.
This isn’t just news – it’s a call to our shared humanity. As you read these profiles, we urge you to remember that each hostage is someone’s parent, spouse or child. They range from 84 years old to one year young. Their absence leaves a void in countless lives.
We’re not here to tell you what to think or how to feel. We simply ask that you read, reflect and remember. Share these stories if they move you. Speak out if you feel compelled. In a world that often moves too quickly from one crisis to the next, we believe these individuals deserve to be more than just a fading headline.
Time is running out for those still held captive. Through these 101 stories, we hope to keep their plight in the forefront of our community’s consciousness. Because until every hostage is home, a part of all of us remains captive too.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of remembrance and hope.
Yair Yaakov | Lover of family, music and cold beer on hot nights
Auto Mechanic
Meet Yair: Beyond everything else, Yair Yaakov – known to all as “Yaya” – was exceedingly humble. He shunned the limelight, and liked getting his hands dirty, working for years as an auto mechanic, and before that as a farmer. Born in Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small agricultural community in southern Israel, he loved his family above all. The 59-year-old had two sons – Or, 17, and Yagil, 12 – and a life partner, Meirav Tal. To Yair, a perfect life meant spending time listening to music, watching soccer with a beer in hand, and relaxing surrounded by those he loved.
October 7th and Beyond: On the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, and began assaulting border communities like Nir Oz. Yair and Meirav hid in their safe room, but terrorists blew it open with grenades, severely injuring Yair. They kidnapped the couple from their home, and Or and Yagil from another location in the kibbutz.
Meirav, Or and Yagil were released as part of a hostage deal after nearly two months of captivity. In February, the IDF determined that Yair was killed on Oct. 7 – and that Hamas was still holding his body captive in Gaza, over a year later, for use as a bargaining chip.
Message from the Family: “Yaya doesn’t like to be photographed or to stand out. If he knew that his picture and his story were now known around the world, he’d probably be pretty upset,” said his relatives.
“Yaya has family in America,” they continued. “Please take up his cause, and do everything you can to reunite him with his family and give us closure. We’ve been empty and waiting for over a year.”
Shay Levinson | Young athlete who reached across fences
German-Israeli Citizen
Meet Shay: Just 19 years old, Shay was a promising volleyball player, Marvel superhero superfan and eternal optimist. He loved basketball, soccer and track as well, but found a calling in volleyball, where he played on S.C Eilabun – an Arab-Israeli team on which he was the only Jewish member.
This was just one expression of his dedication to coexistence, his hopes for peace, and his seeing the beauty in everyone. His classmates and teammates all recall him as a force for unity. His teachers are unanimous in remembering him as an exceptional student who had a flair for writing and graduated with honors. And his family remembers his incredible passion for life and all its opportunities.
Oct. 7th and Beyond: In the early hours of Oct. 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and began massacring population centers near the Gaza border. Shay, a tank commander in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade, leaped into action to defend his people.
He was killed that day by Hamas, who dragged his body off to Gaza as a bargaining chip. Over a year later, the terror group continues holding his remains, denying his family the dignity of burial. Shay is survived by his parents, Shlomit and Kochav, and two brothers.
Message from the Family: “Shay was a super determined person who set goals for himself and did everything to achieve them. On Oct. 7, 2023, he answered the call to action without hesitation and defended his country with his life.”
“We will miss him dearly. He was an idiot in the best sense of the word – hilarious, always smiling, a bit goofy, always helping everyone and never hurting anyone. His death, at just 19, is a great loss to the world.”
Gadi Moses | Peace Activist and Mentor With Vast Knowledge
Agronomist | German-Israeli Citizen
Meet Gadi: Gadi is at once larger than life and deeply humble: a man of the world, of science, and of culture—and of family, community, and life’s smallest moments. A globally celebrated agronomist, he has pioneered innovative potato harvesting and wastewater management techniques that have improved countless lives around the world. For half a century, he’s represented Israel in global delegations to share Israeli agricultural know-how with the world, taking him from America to Papua New Guinea to Israel’s neighbors Jordan and Egypt.
At 80 years old, he is also the founder of his agricultural village, Kibbutz Nir Oz, a father of three, and a grandfather of 12. Beloved by his entire family, he is warm, excited, and uniquely able to live in the moment. He loves watching basketball and drinking wine and even dabbling in making his own vintage.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: In the early hours of Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists invaded the idyllic community of Nir Oz. At the time, Gadi was home with his partner, Efrat Katz, Efrat’s daughter, Doron Katz-Asher, and Doron’s two young girls. They all fled to their safe room, but when terrorists breached the house, Gadi — a lifelong peace activist — left the safe room to try to reason with them. They kidnapped the then-79-year-old man and his family.
Efrat was killed that day after Hamas abducted her. Doron and her daughters were dragged to Gaza, imprisoned in private homes and Hamas facilities, and released in a hostage deal after almost two months of captivity. Gadi is still being held by Hamas. In December 2023, the terror group released a propaganda video of him, emaciated and frail.
Gadi turned 80 in the dungeons of Hamas. His family has not heard anything from or about him for almost a year.
Message from the Family: “My father always believed in peace and coexistence and educated us to love all people, no matter their religion or nationality,” recounted Gadi’s son Oded. “What was done to us on Oct. 7 is a nightmare. I would like you to help us prevent the normalization of this situation – kidnapping of innocent civilians and holding them in captivity for such a long time,” he implored New Yorkers. “Raise your voices and speak out in name of the hostages. Push your government representatives at every level to bring my father home!”
Agam Berger | Young Violinist of Profound Faith
Meet Agam: A beautiful soul full of life and promise, Agam Berger is a budding young violinist, daughter, sibling and friend. Born in Holon, Israel, to parents Shlomi and Meirav, she’s especially close with her twin sister, Li-Yam. She loves pasta, sushi and long walks in nature, particularly at sunset.
Now 20 years old, she developed over time a deep connection to Jewish faith, tradition and practice, observing Shabbat in particular as a refuge from the frenzy and the drama of the rest of the week.
A chilling entry from her diary, months before Oct. 7, 2023: “Do not confine me to any cage, physical or spiritual.” However: “God will accompany me in every step I take.”
Oct. 7 and Beyond: Agam had just turned 19 – and begun her service as IDF lookout – days before red alert sirens began blaring in the early hours of Oct. 7, 2023. Stationed at the Nahal Oz base near the border with Gaza, she ran immediately to a safe room. As she hid, she heard gunshots and explosions getting closer and closer.
Hamas terrorists had invaded Israel. They breached the base, killed many of her friends, and kidnapped her alongside other young soldiers, all women. A terrible video, comprised of security footage and released at the decision of Agam’s family, shows her and four other soldiers, in pajamas, bloodied and frightened, being rounded up by Hamas terrorists, who leer and make sexual comments at the women.
Over a year later, Agam is still being held in Gaza. Her family does not know if she is healthy or even alive.
Message from the Family: “Agam is a girl of giving, of gratitude and of faith,” her relatives said. “She hoped to study in New York after her military service – please help make that a reality.”
“She’s full of light and dreams of doing something meaningful – sharing her unique music with the world and making it a better place for all of us.”
Ohad Yahalomi | Selfless Father With Deep Inner Strength
French-Israeli Citizen | Park Ranger
Meet Ohad: “He adores and protects nature and wildlife,” Ohad Yahalomi’s sister recounted about him. “He actually saved an injured eaglet several years ago.” This isn’t surprising for Ohad, 50, who has worked for Israel’s parks authority for years. He had a special love for the desert and spent hours exploring its hidden beauty.
But mostly, Ohad is a husband and father. A foodie and enthusiastic chef, he would cook a special family dinner once a week, usually stuffed grape leaves bursting with flavor. He’s also truly funny, bringing joy and laughter to everyone around him. Those closest to him say he always imparted a feeling of security and stability – a true anchor to his wife Batsheva, their 12-year-old son, 10-year-old daughter and two-year-old baby girl.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: In the early hours of Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists invaded Ohad’s idyllic community of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Ever the protector, Ohad rushed his family into their safe room, stationed himself outside with a handgun, and awaited the approaching terror army.
Hamas breached their home, shot Ohad and wounded him in the leg. As he cried to his children that he loved them, the terrorists dragged his family out and kidnapped him, his wife and his three young kids, strapping them onto motorbikes to bring to Gaza as hostages.
Ohad’s wife Batsheva and their two girls escaped after falling from their captor’s motorbike, and running for more than three hours to safety. But Ohad and their 12-year-old son Eitan were carted off to Gaza. Eitan was later released in a hostage exchange deal. Ohad remains captive there; his family does not know if he is alive or dead.
Message From the Family: “On October 7th, the kibbutzim in Israel’s south went through a pogrom. We dreamed of peace with Gaza, and we were repaid with the murders of babies and entire families.”
“So many families are still broken. Our Ohadi is our everything,” say his relatives, using his favorite nickname. “Without him, we exist day-to-day with broken hearts. Please use your voice, and tell Hamas to let him go!”
Yossi and Eli Sharabi | Heroic Brothers Dedicated to Family
Meet Yossi (53) and Eli (52): The Sharabi brothers were born and raised in Kibbutz Be’eri, an idyllic agricultural community in Southern Israel. As children, they were each other’s best friends, and their neighbors share fond memories of their playing soccer in the streets and the fields of the neighborhood. They stayed soccer fans over time, with Yossi supporting Real Madrid, and Eli backing Chelsea. Later, Eli became a coach of the local youth soccer team.
The brothers felt connected to the community and each other, and decided to raise their families there as a result. Eli married Lianne, who immigrated from the UK as a volunteer, and with whom he had two daughters. Yossi married Nira, a nurse from Israel, with whom he had three daughters.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: In the early hours of Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists invaded the picturesque community of Be’eri. When they reached Eli and Lianne’s house, the family dog Mocha ran at them barking. From their safe room, the family heard the terrorists shoot Mocha dead, and laugh. They then murdered Lianne and their two daughters, burned down the family home and dragged off Eli to Gaza.
Nearby, around 6:30 a.m. that morning, Yossi and his family were awakened by the sirens and got up to hide in their safe room. When Hamas breached their home, their dog also barked. And Hamas shot it, too. They then kidnapped Yossi and brought him down to Gaza as a hostage. In early 2024, the IDF announced the Yossi may have been killed while in Hamas captivity. The Sharabi family anxiously awaits news of either of their fates.
Message From the Family: “Our relatives weren’t killed. They were slaughtered,” say surviving members of the family. As for Yossi and Eli, “talk about them, tell their stories, hang their pictures and don’t forget them until they return home.” They concluded with positivity: “We feel your embrace.”
Tal Shoham | Father, Husband, Polymath, Unifier
Austrian-Israeli Citizen
Meet Tal: Ask his wife Adi, his children Naveh (8) and Yahel (4), his friends or his neighbors, and they would say Tal Shoham (39) is a wonderful, caring and deeply honorable man. If they could talk, the dog and two cats he adopted and has been caring for ever since would probably agree. “Sensitive and intelligent,” his family says. “Wickedly creative and smart,” say his friends.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: All those things – and missing. On Oct. 7, the Shohams were visiting Adi’s family in Kibbutz Be’eri for the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. As the sun rose, Hamas terrorists invaded the idyllic community. They set fire to the home where Tal and his relatives were hiding, forcing them out into the open.
When they emerged, the terrorists murdered some members of the family and kidnapped others to Gaza – including Tal, Adi and their two young children. The latter three were released in November after nearly two months of captivity. But, almost a year later, Hamas continues holding Tal hostage, keeping the family broken and incomplete.
Tal and Adi’s young kids Naveh and Yahel – already shaken by their harrowing experience as children in Hamas’s dungeons – are tormented by their father’s absence. “Will our father come back?” they write to their mother in crayon and colored pencil. “How did they kill grandpa?” “Are we going to die?”
Message From the Family: “Hamas broke our family on Oct. 7,” say Tal’s relatives. “His children need him. They cannot – and we cannot – go another day without him here. Raise your voices and do everything you can. Tell Hamas to let him go!”
Shlomo Mansour | Resilient Survivor, Community Godfather
Carpenter
Meet Shlomo: Shlomo is 86 years old. He was born in Baghdad, Iraq. In the heat of the Holocaust in 1941, when he was a toddler, a Nazi-inspired Iraqi-Muslim mob rampaged through Jewish neighborhoods, slaughtering hundreds and wounding thousands. Shlomo’s parents got the message. They and about 100,000 other Iraqi Jews fled for Israel.
Shlomo eventually settled in the bucolic Kibbutz Kissufim, and agricultural commune in Southern Israel. There, he served as neighborhood carpenter – neighbors said he was able to fix anything from board games to watches – and tended the chicken coop.
He was always a “modest, pleasant and decent man,” grateful for the security and comfort provided by the modern Jewish State. His children, grandchildren and the entire village looked up to him as a role model, an inspiration, and an indelible link to the pain and resilience of not-so-distant Jewish history.
October 7th and Beyond: On October 7th, Shlomo experienced his second pogrom. Thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, including Kibbutz Kissufim. Shlomo’s wife of 60 years, Mazal, was somehow able to escape. Her husband was not. Terrorists forced him into a car, drove him into Gaza and have been holding him as a civilian hostage for nearly a year.
He planned to live out his last days surrounded by friends, family and the chickens he loved to care for. He turned 86 in March, in Hamas captivity.
Message from the Family: “It is impossible not to love Shlomo, say his relatives. “He is the most loving man in the world. A fiercely decent man, and incredibly charming.”
“Please, please, keep fighting to bring our father and grandfather home. And live good lives, help your friends, do good in the world. Because that’s what he would want you to do.”
Lior Rudaeff | Heroic Volunteer Devoted to His Community
Ambulance Driver and Volunteer Medic
Meet Lior: Lior Rudaeff, 61, always gave everything for others – both his tight-knit family and his community at large. Living in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak with his wife Yaffa and their four children, he was known as “volunteering with every fiber of his being,” serving as an ambulance driver and a volunteer medic, and constantly “giving his time for the sake of others.”
Lior enjoyed good food, especially rare grilled steak and cold beer. He loved the Blues Brothers band and the soccer team Hapoel Tel Aviv, and he relished riding his motorcycle around the arid beauty of the Negev Desert, drinking in the views and the silence.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: The morning of Oct. 7, Lior had planned to go for an early-hours motorcycle ride to the nearby Ramon Crater. But before he set off, he received a call from the kibbutz’s emergency squad that the community was under attack by Hamas terrorists. Lior didn’t think twice – he immediately rushed to join the fight and repel the invasion. After hours of fighting, Lior sent a message to his family that he was shot and that he loved them. That would be the last time they heard from their beloved Lior.
After months of uncertainty regarding his fate, Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak announced on May 7 that Lior had been killed on Oct. 7 – and that his body had been carted off to Gaza by Hamas.
Message from the Family: “We miss your energy, we miss the old family get-togethers because nothing is the same without you. My beloved husband, hang on, we aren’t losing hope for a moment, and we will continue to fight until you come home,” Lior’s wife Yaffa wrote in a Facebook post.
The Rudaeff family will keep fighting until they can give Lior a proper burial, and they call on the people of New York to keep raising awareness and campaigning for the release of all the hostages, including the eight Americans still being held by Hamas.
Jonathan Samerano | Dreamer and Life of Any Party
DJ
Meet Jonathan: Jonathan Samerano, 22, affectionately known as “Yonati” by his friends, was a magnetic personality who brought joy and laughter to any situation. Though hailing from Tel Aviv, he had a special connection to New York, a city he fell in love with from afar and couldn’t wait to travel to. His humor and infectious laughter were balanced by a deep sense of responsibility and action, making him an anchor of his family and friend group.
He rooted for his hometown soccer team Hapoel Tel Aviv, and brought that same supportive energy to the dance floor, where he enjoyed vibing to the diverse beats of Red Axes, Omri Smadar and Arik Einstein. It was this passion for music that drew Jonathan and his friends to attend the Nova music festival in southern Israel in October 2023.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: In the early hours of Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists invaded the music festival and began slaughtering attendees – sleeping, dancing, eating. Jonathan fled on foot toward the nearby Kibbutz Be’eri, but never made it. Hamas terrorists ambushed and shot him dead, and dragged his body off to Gaza.
Days later, a video surfaced on Telegram showing that Jonathan was abducted not just by Hamas terrorists, but by a “social worker” from the UN agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) who moonlighted as a Hamas fighter. The revelation, and more like it that appeared in the weeks that followed, caused global uproar. Many have since called for UNRWA to be dissolved and replaced in light of such gross moral violations, an effort supported by the Samerano family.
Message From the Family: “A social worker for a so-called humanitarian organization kidnapped my son. How can someone working for an agency that claims to do good in this world do something so cruel and inhumane?” cried Jonathan’s mother Ayelet at the “International Summit for a Future Beyond UNRWA,” held in Geneva in February.
The family continues to raise awareness about the hostages and the UNRWA scandal. They call on people of conscience to join their fight for these causes.
Doron Steinbrecher | Animal Lover with an Infectious Laugh
Veterinary Nurse
Meet Doron: Veterinary nurse Doron Steinbrecher, 30, has always been passionate about animals – and people, too. Described as the “glue” of her social circles, she is also super close with her three young nephews, who know her affectionately as “Dodo,” a play on her name and the Hebrew word for aunt.
Doron loves sports, supporting the soccer team Maccabi Haifa, and theater, performing in many musical productions. Her favorite musicians? Justin Beiber and Britney Spears – and she has attended concerts by both of them. Since she was a child, she’s dreamed of traveling to New York and seeing loads of Broadway Shows.
October 7th and Beyond: At 6:30am on October 7th, Hamas terrorists invaded Doron’s community of Kibbutz Kfar Aza. As they went up and down the village streets, massacring every civilian they laid eyes on, she and her family locked themselves in their safe rooms. Her sister and parents remain safe, but Doron did not. At 10:30am, after four agonizing hours of hearing the gunshots and explosions draw closer and closer, she sent her last text message to her family: “They’ve arrived, they have me.”
The Steinbrecher family received confirmation a week later from the IDF that Doron was kidnapped to Gaza by Hamas.
Doron has a serious hormonal health issue, and requires medication every day. Based on a hostage video of her that Hamas released on January 26th, her sister Simona believes she is not receiving this medication, and may be suffering abuse. The family is gravely worried about her well-being.
Message From the Family: “We must unite as a global community with a singular objective – to exert pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and agree to a cease-fire. Only collective efforts can make a difference,” says Doron’s sister Simona.
“We are waiting for her to come back, and to make her dream of traveling to New York come true.”
Uriel Baruch | Eternal Optimist who Loved to Dance
Construction Materials Supplier
Meet Uriel: Uriel Baruch, 35, was a ray of light to all, remembered by his loved ones for “the smile that never left his face in any situation.” From the Jerusalem suburb of Givon, he was the proud husband of Racheli and adoring father of two boys. To them he was always “full of love and joy.”
Uriel found happiness and comfort in music and dancing; friends describe how his wedding to Racheli went well past 3 a.m. because the dancing just wouldn’t stop. Throughout his years, whenever possible, Uriel would try to turn on techno music and dance, even for a little while. To him, it was a way of celebrating life and spreading positivity across the world.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: It was this love for music, especially high-energy electronic tracks, which brought Uriel and his friends to the Nova music festival in southern Israel. Tragically, in the early morning of Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists invaded the site and began massacring festival-goers.
The surprise attack left Uriel’s family in an agonizing limbo; it wasn’t until hours later at when they heard anything about him at all. However, the update did not provide closure: his family spotted a clip on social media showing Uriel’s friends murdered in his car, with Uriel on the ground next to it, unclear whether he was dead or alive.
The family went on a relentless search around the country for the next 11 days, hoping that Uriel was lying in a hospital unidentified. The IDF finally confirmed to them a few weeks later that he was kidnapped by Hamas, and was being held hostage in Gaza. After months of trying to secure his release, on March 26, Uriel was confirmed to have been murdered by Hamas in captivity. Closure is still elusive: Hamas continues to hold his body as ransom, denying his relatives the dignity of burial.
Message from the Family: “To the residents of New York” – pleaded Uriel’s family in a heartfelt message – “don’t forget the remaining hostages, including eight Americans, who have been held captive by Hamas in Gaza for over 10 months! Help and support us in the fight to bring them home and secure burial for those whose lives were taken.”
Alon Ohel | Talented Pianist with Contagious Energy
Israeli Citizen | Musician
Meet Alon: Alon Ohel, 23, was born in the northern Israeli town of Lavon to parents Idit and Kobi. He has two younger brothers, Ronen and Inbar. Known as containing “an unbelievable amount of energy,” Alon has always been a source of enthusiasm and excitement for his friends, his family and anyone given the opportunity to meet him.
Undoubtedly, Alon’s main passion is music. Constantly humming a tune or thinking about a song, musical expression is “an inseparable part of him.” An especially gifted pianist, Alon was supposed to begin his studies at one of Israel’s best music academies — the Rimon School of Music in Tel Aviv – this term. And very much in that spirit, just before the school year began Alon and his friends decided to attend the Nova Festival to “celebrate life… and to dance and listen to the music he loved so much.”
Oct. 7 and Beyond: Alon and his friends arrived at Nova around 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 7, just an hour before Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and streamed toward the festival site. When they began shooting, Alon and a few others tried to escape by car, but were forced to turn around and flee on foot when they were ambushed by a sea of terrorists. Pinned down in a bomb shelter with 26 others, Alon sent a final text message to his family at 8:08 a.m. – assuring them he was safe.
According to survivors’ testimony, after hours of heroic efforts at defense, the festivalgoers in the shelter succumbed to the terror mob outside. Hamas ruthlessly slaughtered most, and dragged Alon and four others into their vehicle, dragging them off to Gaza as hostages. Alon’s family has not heard anything about him since.
Message From the Family: “I know that he’s alive,” says his mother Idit. “I know that he’s alive because he was taken alive, and I know that he’s alive because I’m a mother.”
To maintain positivity and do their part for the hostages, Alon’s family has organized regular concerts since Oct. 7 near the Gaza border in his honor. They hope that by some chance Alon will hear the music he loves, and feel some comfort. The Ohel family calls on music lovers, New Yorkers and citizens of the world to keep fighting for their son’s release and that of every single one of the hostages.
Edan Alexander | Foodie with Intense Courage
Dual US-Israeli Citizen | IDF Soldier
Meet Edan: Edan Alexander, 20, grew up in Tenafly, NJ – described by his father Adi as “a great all-American kid.” The family’s oldest child, Edan is beloved by his siblings, who look up to him greatly, and by his parents, who adore him. His mother Yael said that growing up he was “his sister’s best friend.”
In Tenafly High School, Edan thrived in and out of class, had scores of friends and won a pile of awards from his victories with the school swim team. He’s also always been a huge foodie, obsessed with Thai and Japanese cuisine.
While he initially planned to go to college and study business, when he graduated high school, Edan felt a higher calling to join the Israel Defense Forces and protect the Jewish State. His parents relate how Edan joined the IDF as a lone soldier since “he felt it was the right thing to do.” He was placed in the Golani Bridage’s 51st battalion, stationed near Israel’s border with Gaza.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: On the morning of Oct. 7, Edan’s mother, who was visiting Israel at the time, anxiously began texting her son at 6:30 a.m. when she first heard reports of the Hamas terror invasion from Gaza. While Edan tried to reassure her that he was safe, she could tell that his position was under attack. Their texts that morning were the last contact they had.
By 7 a.m., Edan was no longer answering his mother’s flurry of texts, and a week later the IDF informed the family that Edan had been taken hostage by Hamas. They have had no news or updates on his whereabouts or condition since.
Message from the Family: “We love him, and we can’t wait to give him a hug − a big bearhug!” his mother said. “We can’t wait for him to come back home. And he will come back home.”
The Alexander family called on the people of New York to keep fighting for all the hostages’ release, especially Edan and the seven other American hostages who still remain in Hamas captivity.
Sagui Dekel-Chen | Heroic Father and Countryman
Dual US-Israeli Citizen | Project Manager
Meet Sagui: Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, is a beloved husband, and father to three daughters. Born to American parents Jonathan and Neomit, Sagui was raised in Bloomfield, NJ for the first ten years of his life. At that point, his family moved to Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel. When Sagui was 14, he met the love of his life, Avital – known affectionately as Mili after the Israeli actress Mili Avital – who he would eventually marry.
Sagui is highly motivated and sharp as a whip. By day, he worked as a project manager for the the Jewish National Fund’s UK branch – helping construct schools and public parks for underserved communities. After hours, he led more social initiatives to further develop the Jewish state. Friends recount that Sagui’s biggest life goal was “the flourishing of the Jewish people.” And despite working late nights on all his projects, Sagui still managed to be an incredible father to his two daughters and spouse his wife Avital, who was pregnant with their third child when the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, October 7th, 2023, arrived.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: In the early hours of Oct. 7, characteristically hard-working Sagui was up laboring in the kibbutz’s machine shop when he spotted Hamas terrorists breaching the kibbutz. He sprinted to the communal dining room and raised the alarm, sending to lockdown in their safe rooms. This action saved countless lives. And after checking to make sure his pregnant wife and young daughters were safe, Sagui ventured back outside to fend off the invaders with the rest of the kibbutz security team.
After hours of fighting, including gristly hand-to-hand combat precariously close to his wife Avital, Sagui was last heard from at 9:30 a.m., three-odd hours after the terrorist invasion. The courageous defender was carted off by Hamas to Gaza, where he is still being held hostage.
With Sagui still in captivity, Avital gave birth to their third daughter, Shachar. She has yet to meet her father.
Message From the Family: “Her name is Shachar, which in Hebrew means Dawn. She’s the brightest light in our horrific darkness right now,” said Gillian Kaye, Sagui’s stepmother. Sagui’s wife Avital added unequivocally: “This baby is here thanks to him. He protected us, so it happens thanks to him.”
The family calls on all New Yorkers to keep fighting for Sagui – one of eight American hostages still being held in Gaza – and for all the remaining hostages to be freed and swiftly reunited with their families.
Judy Weinstein | Teacher Spreading Calm and Mindfulness
Dual US-Israeli Citizen | Schoolteacher
Meet Judy: Judith (Judy) Weinstein, 70, was born in Monroe, NY to Brooklynite parents. Her mother is still alive at 95. Described by her family as “deeply connected to her inner self,” Judy was “always smiling and bringing calm to those around her.” She moved to Israel when she was young, and settled in Kibbutz Nir Oz with her husband Gadi Haggai. There, they raised a beautiful family of four children, which would eventually blossom with seven grandchildren.
Judy was an English teacher at the local high school and taught children with special needs. In addition, she taught meditation to help treat the anxiety experienced by vast amounts of the kibbutz’s children, due to years of incessant rocket attacks from neighboring Gaza. Judy impacted thousands of students’ lives for the better, and was always trying to bring more peace and coexistence into the world.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: On the morning of Oct. 7, Judy and Gadi were on their morning walk around the kibbutz when Hamas terrorists invaded the area, shattering the calm. In her last-ever contact with her family, Judy shared a 40-second video of her and Gadi hiding in a ditch near the kibbutz. In the background, the kibbutz alarm system blared, warning its citizens of incoming attacks, and the terrorists’ gunfire was getting closer and closer. Kibbutz Nir Oz was devastated, with a quarter of its inhabitants murdered or abducted that day by Hamas.
Kibbutz Nir Oz was one of the hardest hit communities on Oct. 7, with a quarter of townsfolk killed or taken hostage by Hamas on that day. After months of uncertainty regarding the couple’s fate, the IDF confirmed that Hamas killed both Gad and Judy on Oct. 7, and carted their bodies to Gaza as hostages.
Message from the Family: “There is nothing more monstrous than abducting a body and not letting us, their children, their grandchildren, our grandmother – our mother’s mother – find closure,” said Judy’s children. “We are stuck. We cannot move on with our lives until her body is returned.”
The family calls on New Yorkers to “fight for justice as we Americans know how to do, fight against terror, do not let terror take over this amazing country, this amazing city.”
Gad Haggai | Jazz Artist Devoted to His Family and Health
Dual US-Israeli Citizen | Musician & Chef
Meet Gad: “Live your life as if it’s your last day, but learn as if you’ll live forever.”
This was Gad Haggai’s last Facebook post, published to his feed on Oct. 6, and it summed up his 73 years of life in a tragic but beautiful way. Born to American parents from Brooklyn and Detroit, Gad loved music from his earliest years. He learned the flute when he was just three years old, and went on to play saxophone at Jazz clubs across 1970s New York City. He was a member of the band Jazz Covenant, and played alongside genre greats like B.B. King.
After losing his brother to cancer in the early 2000s, Gad turned hugely passionate about health and nutrition, becoming a vegan chef and immersing himself in a plant-based lifestyle. Family members describe Gad as “incredibly funny” and charming, but also serious about equality and social justice. He lived on Kibbutz Nir Oz with his American-Israeli wife Judy, where they had four children and seven grandchildren. Lauded as a wonderful father and grandfather, he gave his family everything, and instilled within them a rock-solid moral compass.
Oct. 7 and Beyond: On the morning of Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists invaded Gad and Judy’s idyllic kibbutz community. The couple were on a morning walk at the time; the last thing their family has to remember them is a 40-second video of the couple hiding from roving terrorists in a ditch just outside the Kibbutz.
Kibbutz Nir Oz was one of the hardest hit communities on Oct. 7, with a quarter of townsfolk killed or taken hostage by Hamas on that day. After months of uncertainty regarding the couple’s fate, the IDF confirmed that Hamas killed both Gad and Judy on October 7th, and carted their bodies to Gaza as hostages.
Message From the Family: “We must do everything to bring them back for a respectful burial. We deserve a grave, and they deserve to rest in peace at home” Gad and Judy’s family cry to the world. They call on New Yorkers “not to forget that there are eight American hostages, including our two parents” still being held in Gaza, and to fight relentlessly for their immediate release.
Itay Chen | A natural leader with an unforgettable smile
Dual US-Israeli Citizen | IDF Soldier
Meet Itay: Itay Chen, 19, was born in the Israeli city of Netanya to New York natives Ruby and Hagit. Friends described him as a “pure soul” and natural-born leader – with an infectious smile, and a heart always open to helping others. At 17, Itay met Neta, who became his girlfriend, while working as a youth counselor at summer camp. He called her the love of his life.
Itay loved hamburgers, late-night pizza and reality TV. He and Neta dreamed of going to college in America after he completed his army service.
October 7th and Beyond: Itay’s unit was among the first to encounter the Hamas invasion on Oct. 7, 2023; he was last heard from at 6:40 a.m. that morning. After 158 agonizing days of uncertainty, on March 12, 2024, the IDF confirmed Itay had been killed by Hamas. The terror group continues to hold his body hostage, denying his family the closure and dignity of a proper burial.
Message from the Family: “Itay’s hugs could make the world right,” his parents shared. “Now, there’s a hole in our hearts where his laughter used to be.”
Ruby, Itay’s father, appeals to fellow New Yorkers: “On 9/11, New York showed the world how to unite in crisis. Today, I ask you to stand with us, to help bring my son – one of your own – home.”
Hersh Goldberg-Polin | Peace-Loving World Traveler
Dual US-Israeli Citizen
Meet Hersh: Hersh Goldberg-Polin has friends all over the world. No, really: at only 23 years old, he’s visited scores of countries, and is described by all as a fun, calming presence even across language and cultural barriers. Born in California to American parents Rachel and Jon, he grew up there and in Virginia before moving with his family to Israel at age seven.
He is a world traveler who loves hiking, reading, befriending strangers and dancing at music festivals. He loves soccer, rooting for Hapoel Jerusalem, and channeled that passion toward meaningful goals, developing an initiative to bring Israeli and Palestinian children together through the power of the sport.
October 7th and Beyond: As part of his birthday celebrations – he turned 23 just four days earlier – Hersh attended the Nova Music Festival in Re’im, Israel. As he and thousands of other partygoers danced amid the Oct. 7, 2023 sunrise, thousands of Hamas terrorists streamed into Israel and began massacring the dancers.
Hersh and others ran madly to hide in a bomb shelter, but Hamas found them and began barbarically throwing grenades inside. At around 8 a.m., Hersh sent a text message to his family: “I love you,” followed by: “I’m sorry.” According to video footage taken by the terrorists themselves, he was then abducted by a swarm of Hamas members. His left arm is largely blown off; a young woman who was in the shelter with him testified that he had risked himself to throw the grenades out. In the process, he lost most of his dominant arm.
On April 24, Hamas released a three-minute video of Hersh in captivity.
Message from the Family: “What we miss most about Hersh is just his uplifting presence,” his parents related. “We miss his presence every second of every day.”
Omer Neutra | Fanatic Knicks Fan from Long Island
Dual US-Israeli Citizen | IDF Soldier
Meet Omer: Omer Neutra, 22, was born in Plainview, NY to American-Israeli parents Orna and Ronen. Described as “instantly lighting up a room” with his friendliness and compassion, Omer is also a sports fan and athlete: obsessed with the Knicks, and playing soccer, basketball and volleyball in high school.
After high school, Omer was accepted to Binghamton University, but decided to take a gap year and study in Israel. Immersing himself in Israeli culture, Omer developed a love for Israel and its history. And as a descendant of Holocaust survivors, he felt compelled to give back to the Jewish people and the Jewish state. With destiny on his shoulders, he enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces as a lone soldier.
October 7th and Beyond: When Hamas invaded, Omer was stationed near Gaza with the mission of protecting the border communities. He was last heard from on Oct. 6, when, in a phone conversation with his parents, he described his hope for a relaxing weekend after a stressful month of service. The very next morning, he was one of the first responders to the terror onslaught, already in his tank when hundreds of Hamas missiles began raining down on Israeli villages.
Hamas fired a rocket-propelled grenade at Omer’s tank, forcing him and the three young men with him out and into the open. It was an ambush; Hamas kidnapped them all to Gaza.
Message from the Family: “Our sense of time has been lost,” say Omer’s parents. “We are stuck on October 6th, in our last conversation with Omer before he was taken hostage.
They call on everyone to “wake up every morning and ask yourselves: ‘what can I do today on behalf of Omer and all of the hostages?’”
