On Monday, Israel identified and returned the body of the last hostage held in Gaza from the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack. Ran Gvili, 24, a police officer killed while fighting the Hamas invaders, was the final one of the 251 people kidnapped that day to remain captive. His funeral was held earlier today in his hometown of Meitar, near Be'ersheba.

Ran's return closes an agonizing chapter in the history of Israel and the Jewish people. For more than two years, people across Israel and around the world vowed to keep protesting, praying, and fighting “until the last hostage,” united by the promise to “bring them home.” For the first time since 2014, no hostages remain in the Gaza Strip. Read more.

On Monday evening we held a brief community gathering online to show solidarity with the people of Israel at this historic time. Watch the recording here.  

In addition, we recently initiated a community-wide project in honour of all the hostages. Please bring your yellow hostage ribbons, pins, dog tags, and other related materials to any of our three JCCs to take part. More details here.  

For more, click here.